Back to Baby Names

Kitana

Girl Name #2,947 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

Strong as a sword, graceful as a warrior princess

American Japanese Pop Culture
Bold Strong Modern Playful Unique

Meaning & Origin

"sword"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
"invented name from Mortal Kombat character"
Origin: American
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Primarily associated with the Mortal Kombat video game character, a fictional princess-assassin

The Story of Kitana

Kitana as a given name comes primarily from the Mortal Kombat fighting game character Princess Kitana, introduced in 1993. However, the name has Japanese roots — it resembles 'katana,' the iconic Japanese sword, with a softened beginning. Whether by design or coincidence, the name carries dual meaning: the strength of a blade and the femininity of the '-a' ending.

Kitana gained recognition through the Mortal Kombat video game franchise starting in the early 1990s, where Princess Kitana was one of the first prominent female fighting game characters. As gaming culture became mainstream, the name has been increasingly chosen by parents who love the strong, exotic sound.

In Japanese, a katana is a curved, single-edged sword that is deeply symbolic of samurai culture, honor, and discipline. The name Kitana bridges Japanese martial culture and Western pop culture through the video game character.

Fun Facts

  • Princess Kitana in Mortal Kombat is 10,000 years old in the game's lore — making her one of fiction's oldest-young-looking characters
  • The katana sword became famous in the West largely through samurai films and later anime
  • Kitana has appeared in multiple Mortal Kombat films and animated series, cementing her pop culture presence

Kitana in Other Languages

Arabic كيتانا
French Kitana
Spanish Kitana
Japanese キタナ

Famous People Named Kitana

P

Princess Kitana Fictional

Other

Iconic fictional princess and fighter from the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, known for her steel fans weapon and p...

Iconic fictional princess and fighter from the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, known for her steel fans weapon and princess backstory

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#2,947
Total SSA Count
56
Cultural Origins
American Japanese Pop Culture
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Kit Kita Tana

Pairs Well With

Kitana Jade Kitana Rose Kitana Skye Kitana Violet Kitana Rae Kitana Storm Kitana Reign

Sibling Names

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Kitana and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Kitana sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitana

What does the name Kitana mean?
"sword" (from Japanese). "invented name from Mortal Kombat character" (from American). Kitana as a given name comes primarily from the Mortal Kombat fighting game character Princess Kitana, introduced in 1993. However, the name has Japanese roots — it resembles 'katana,' the iconic Japanese sword, with a softened beginning. Whether by design or coincidence, the name carries dual meaning: the strength of a blade and the femininity of the '-a' ending.
What is the origin of the name Kitana?
Kitana has Japanese, American, and Pop Culture origins. In Japanese, it means "sword". In American, it means "invented name from Mortal Kombat character".
Is Kitana a boy or girl name?
Kitana is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Kitana?
Kitana is currently ranked #2947 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kitana?
Common nicknames for Kitana include Kit, Kita, and Tana.
What are good middle names for Kitana?
Popular middle name pairings include Kitana Jade, Kitana Rose, Kitana Skye, Kitana Violet, Kitana Rae, Kitana Storm, and Kitana Reign.
What are good sibling names for Kitana?
Names that pair well with Kitana as siblings include Zara, Nova, Lyra, Sable, Cassidy, Jax, and Ryder.
How many syllables does Kitana have?
Kitana has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Kitana a common or rare name?
Kitana is an uncommon name, ranked #2947 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Kitana

Kitana is a girl name with American, Japanese, and Pop Culture origins . The name means "sword" in Japanese .

Kitana is currently ranked #2,947 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Kitana has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Kitana include Kit, Kita, and Tana. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Explore Name Lists