"light"
Origin: Slavic
Language: Russian
Lana
Pronunciation: [ l-AN-uh ]
Girl Name
#374 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Effortlessly elegant across cultures and decades
Slavic
Hawaiian
English
American
Classic
Elegant
Vintage
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"afloat, calm as still waters"
Origin: Hawaiian
Language: Hawaiian
"little one, darling"
Origin: Irish
Language: Irish
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Lana Rose
Lana Marie
Lana Grace
Lana Pearl
Lana Elizabeth
Lana Claire
Lana June
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Lana is also used as a boy name, ranked #30347.
View Lana as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.