"light"
Origin: Slavic
Language: Russian
Lana
Pronunciation: [ l-AN-uh ]
Does Lana flow with your last name?
Effortlessly elegant across cultures and decades
Slavic
Hawaiian
English
American
Classic
Elegant
Vintage
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"afloat, calm as still waters"
Origin: Hawaiian
Language: Hawaiian
"little one, darling"
Origin: Irish
Language: Irish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with singer Lana Del Rey — a mostly positive association with dreamy, melancholic artistry
The Story of Lana
Lana has multiple possible origins: in Slavic languages it is a short form of Svetlana, meaning 'light'; in Hawaiian it means 'afloat' or 'calm as still waters'; and in Irish it may derive from 'alanna' meaning 'child' or 'darling.' Its brevity and open vowel ending give it a cosmopolitan feel that has helped it cross cultural boundaries with remarkable ease for a short two-syllable name.
Lana was popular mid-century (actress Lana Turner kept it stylish in the 1940s-50s), dipped during the 1980s-1990s, then resurged powerfully with singer Lana Del Rey who debuted her stage name around 2011-2012. Her languid, dreamy aesthetic gave the name a new romantic, artistic identity for a new generation.
In Russia and Eastern Europe, Lana is typically a diminutive of Svetlana. In the US, the name carries classic Hollywood glamour from Lana Turner's era, while Lana Del Rey has given it a nostalgic Americana identity. In Hawaii, lana describes the serene quality of still water.
Historical Record
Lana first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 45,679 babies have been named Lana in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lana is a steady classic , currently ranked #374 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Lana Del Rey's real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant — she chose the name for its vintage Hollywood glamour
- Lana Turner was born Julia Jean Turner and discovered at a Hollywood soda fountain at age 16
- Lana is a Hawaiian word meaning afloat, calm as still waters
Lana in Other Languages
Arabic
Lana
Russian
Lana
Spanish
Lana
Hawaiian
Lana
Japanese
Rana
Ukrainian
Lana
Popularity Over Time
#374
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lana
L
Lana Del Rey
Musician
1985
American singer-songwriter celebrated for cinematic, melancholic pop, known for Summertime Sadness and Video Games
L
Lana Turner
Actor
1921
Hollywood Golden Age actress known for The Postman Always Rings Twice, one of the iconic glamour stars of the 1940s
L
Lana Lang Fictional
Other
Clark Kent's childhood sweetheart in the Superman franchise, appearing in comics, film, and TV adaptations
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Compare Lana with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #374
- Total SSA Count
- 829
- Cultural Origins
- Slavic Hawaiian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lana
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Lana is also used as a boy name, ranked #30347.
View Lana as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Slavic)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lana
What does the name Lana mean?
"light" (from Slavic). "afloat, calm as still waters" (from Hawaiian). "little one, darling" (from Irish). Lana has multiple possible origins: in Slavic languages it is a short form of Svetlana, meaning 'light'; in Hawaiian it means 'afloat' or 'calm as still waters'; and in Irish it may derive from 'alanna' meaning 'child' or 'darling.' Its brevity and open vowel ending give it a cosmopolitan feel that has helped it cross cultural boundaries with remarkable ease for a short two-syllable name.
What is the origin of the name Lana?
Lana has Slavic, Hawaiian, Irish, English, and American origins. In Slavic, it means "light". In Hawaiian, it means "afloat, calm as still waters". In Irish, it means "little one, darling".
Is Lana a boy or girl name?
Lana is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #374. As a boy name, it is ranked #30347. Lana is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lana?
Lana is pronounced l-AN-uh.
How popular is the name Lana?
Lana is currently ranked #374 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Lana?
Popular middle name pairings include Lana Rose, Lana Marie, Lana Grace, Lana Pearl, Lana Elizabeth, Lana Claire, and Lana June.
What are good sibling names for Lana?
Names that pair well with Lana as siblings include Nora, Eva, Vera, Cole, Leo, Gus, and Iris.
How many syllables does Lana have?
Lana has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lana a common or rare name?
Lana is a popular name, ranked #374 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Lana?
About the Name Lana
Lana is a girl name with Slavic, Hawaiian, English, and American origins . The name means "light" in Slavic .
Is Lana a boy or girl name? Lana is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #374 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #30,347. Lana is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lana is currently ranked #374 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lana has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-AN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Lana include Laney, Landry, Lanie, Lani, Lane . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis