"flat tropical grassland"
Origin: Taíno via Spanish
Language: English
Savanna
Pronunciation: [ s-uhv-AN-uh ]
Does Savanna flow with your last name?
Named for vast golden plains — wild, warm, and free
American
English
Spanish
Earthy
Modern
Playful
Bold
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Savanna
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Savanna
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"open plain"
Origin: Spanish
Language: Spanish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Savanna
See all →What the Savanna report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Savanna the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Savanna
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Savanna head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Savanna actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Savanna
Savanna (also spelled Savannah) derives from the Spanish 'sabana,' which itself came from the Taíno word 'zabana,' meaning an open flat plain. Spanish explorers encountered vast tropical grasslands in the Americas and Caribbean and adopted the indigenous word. The city of Savannah, Georgia, founded in 1733, is the most famous American bearer of the name and helped popularize Savanna as a girl's name throughout the 20th century.
Savannah cracked the US top 100 in the 1990s and remained there for two decades. The Savanna spelling is a simpler alternative that has gained traction as parents seek nature-inspired names. Both versions are associated with the American South and outdoor beauty.
Savannah, Georgia, one of America's most beautiful and historic cities, has given this name a distinctly Southern American association — evoking moss-covered oaks, warm evenings, and gracious hospitality. In ecology, savanna biomes are among the world's most biodiverse landscapes.
Historical Record
Savanna first appeared in US Social Security records in 1957.
Over 32,722 babies have been named Savanna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Savanna is past its peak , currently ranked #1,005 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word savanna entered English from Spanish, which borrowed it from the Taíno people of the Caribbean
- Savannah, Georgia, laid out in 1733, is one of America's first planned cities
- African savannas support more large mammals than any other ecosystem on Earth
Savanna in Other Languages
French
Savane
Italian
Savana
Spanish
Savana
Japanese
サバンナ
Portuguese
Savana
Popularity Over Time
#1,005
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2000
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Savanna
S
Savannah Chrisley
Entertainer
1997
American television personality known for the reality show Chrisley Knows Best
S
Savannah Guthrie
Entertainer
1971
American broadcast journalist and co-anchor of NBC's Today show
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Bennett
Girl
"well-spoken of"
#1,060
Silvia
Girl
"forest, woodland"
#1,167
Amaris
Girl
"promised by God, given by God"
#859
Xyla
Girl
"of the forest"
#820
Guinevere
Girl
"white, fair, holy"
#947
Compare Savanna with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,005
- Total SSA Count
- 254
- Cultural Origins
- American English Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Savi
Van
Vanna
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Savanna
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Savanna fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Savanna is also used as a boy name, ranked #8436.
View Savanna as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Savanna →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Savanna with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Savanna
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Savanna and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Savanna sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Bennett
Girl
Latin bene dicere origin
"well-spoken of"
#1,060 in US
Silvia
Girl
Latin origin
"forest, woodland"
#1,167 in US
Amaris
Girl
Hebrew origin
"promised by God, given by God"
#859 in US
Xyla
Girl
Greek origin
"of the forest"
#820 in US
Guinevere
Girl
Welsh (gwen element) origin
"white, fair, holy"
#947 in US
Imogen
Girl
Celtic origin
"maiden, girl"
#1,127 in US
Alianna
Girl
Hebrew origin
"exalted grace"
#811 in US
Arden
Girl
Old English origin
"eagle valley"
#1,052 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Savanna's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Savanna
What does the name Savanna mean?
"flat tropical grassland" (from Taíno via Spanish). "open plain" (from Spanish). Savanna (also spelled Savannah) derives from the Spanish 'sabana,' which itself came from the Taíno word 'zabana,' meaning an open flat plain. Spanish explorers encountered vast tropical grasslands in the Americas and Caribbean and adopted the indigenous word. The city of Savannah, Georgia, founded in 1733, is the most famous American bearer of the name and helped popularize Savanna as a girl's name throughout the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Savanna?
Savanna has Taíno via Spanish, Spanish, American, and English origins. In Taíno via Spanish, it means "flat tropical grassland". In Spanish, it means "open plain".
Is Savanna a boy or girl name?
Savanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1005. As a boy name, it is ranked #8436. Savanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Savanna?
Savanna is pronounced s-uhv-AN-uh.
How popular is the name Savanna?
Savanna is currently ranked #1005 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Savanna?
Common nicknames for Savanna include Savi, Van, and Vanna.
What are good middle names for Savanna?
Popular middle name pairings include Savanna Grace, Savanna Rose, Savanna Mae, Savanna Jade, Savanna Leigh, Savanna Kay, and Savanna Belle.
What are good sibling names for Savanna?
Names that pair well with Savanna as siblings include Dakota, Sierra, Willow, River, Hunter, Aspen, and Reed.
How many syllables does Savanna have?
Savanna has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Savanna a common or rare name?
Savanna is an uncommon name, ranked #1005 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Savanna?
About the Name Savanna
Savanna is a girl name with American, English, and Spanish origins . The name means "flat tropical grassland" in Taíno via Spanish .
Is Savanna a boy or girl name? Savanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,005 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,436. Savanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Savanna is currently ranked #1,005 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Savanna has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-uhv-AN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Savanna include Savi, Van, and Vanna. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Savanna include Savannah, Savanah, Savani, Savana . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Taíno via Spanish Names
Browse all names with this origin
S
Names Starting with S
More girl names like Savanna
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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