"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew via Slavic
Language: Slavic
Yana
Does Yana flow with your last name?
Flowing Slavic grace with ancient Hebrew roots
Russian
Bulgarian
Ukrainian
Serbian
Elegant
Classic
Gentle
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Yana
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Yana
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"feminine form of Jan/John"
Origin: Slavic
Language: Slavic
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Yana
See all →What the Yana report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Yana 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 Yana
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Yana head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Yana 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 Yana
Yana is the Slavic feminine form of Jan (John), ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew Yohanan meaning God is gracious. Widely used across Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and the former Yugoslav states, Yana carries the gentle, flowing quality of Slavic feminine names. It combines ancient Hebrew theological meaning with the melodic traditions of Eastern European naming.
Yana is a consistently popular name in Slavic countries, particularly Bulgaria, where it regularly ranks among the top girls names. Outside Eastern Europe, it has grown in communities with Slavic heritage and attracts parents who appreciate its simplicity and elegance.
In Bulgarian and Russian culture, Yana is a beloved classic, associated with femininity, grace, and the deep Orthodox Christian tradition of naming after the Apostle John and the divine blessing of Gods grace.
Historical Record
Yana first appeared in US Social Security records in 1955.
Over 2,595 babies have been named Yana in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yana is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,884 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Yana is derived from the same root as John, Jean, Jane, and Joan across many European languages
- The name is particularly popular in Bulgaria, where it has been a top name for decades
Yana in Other Languages
Hebrew
יאנה
Russian
Яна
Serbian
Јана
Bulgarian
Яна
Ukrainian
Яна
Popularity Over Time
#1,884
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yana
Y
Yana Kudryavtseva
Athlete
1986
Russian rhythmic gymnast and multiple World Champion
Y
Yana Klochkova
Athlete
1982
Ukrainian swimmer and four-time Olympic champion
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,884
- Total SSA Count
- 106
- Cultural Origins
- Russian Bulgarian Ukrainian Serbian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Yan
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yana
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Yana fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Yana →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 Yana with...
Same Origin Names (Russian)
See all Russian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Yana
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Yana and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Yana 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 →
Alyna
Girl
Slavic origin
"bright, beautiful"
#2,006 in US
Dasha
Girl
Old Persian origin
"one who maintains goodness"
#1,854 in US
Tamara
Girl
Hebrew origin
"date palm tree"
#1,755 in US
Daria
Girl
Persian origin
"possessor of good, upholder of good"
#1,965 in US
Adelaida
Girl
Germanic origin
"of noble character"
#2,084 in US
Natalya
Girl
Late Latin natalis origin
"birthday of the Lord"
#1,919 in US
Liza
Girl
Hebrew origin
"my God is abundance"
#1,816 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Yana's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yana
What does the name Yana mean?
"God is gracious" (from Hebrew via Slavic). "feminine form of Jan/John" (from Slavic). Yana is the Slavic feminine form of Jan (John), ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew Yohanan meaning God is gracious. Widely used across Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and the former Yugoslav states, Yana carries the gentle, flowing quality of Slavic feminine names. It combines ancient Hebrew theological meaning with the melodic traditions of Eastern European naming.
What is the origin of the name Yana?
Yana has Hebrew via Slavic, Slavic, Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Serbian origins. In Hebrew via Slavic, it means "God is gracious". In Slavic, it means "feminine form of Jan/John".
Is Yana a boy or girl name?
Yana is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Yana?
Yana is currently ranked #1884 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yana?
Common nicknames for Yana include Yan.
What are good middle names for Yana?
Popular middle name pairings include Yana Sofia, Yana Maria, Yana Irene, Yana Natasha, Yana Vera, and Yana Elena.
What are good sibling names for Yana?
Names that pair well with Yana as siblings include Dmitri, Sasha, Natalia, Ivan, Mila, and Alexei.
How many syllables does Yana have?
Yana has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yana a common or rare name?
Yana is an uncommon name, ranked #1884 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Yana?
About the Name Yana
Yana is a girl name with Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Serbian origins . The name means "God is gracious" in Hebrew via Slavic .
Yana is currently ranked #1,884 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Yana has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yana include Yan. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Yana include Yaneli, Yaneth, Yanely . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew via Slavic Names
Browse all names with this origin
Y
Names Starting with Y
More girl names like Yana
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