"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
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Meaning & Origin
"feminine form of Jan/John"
Origin: Slavic
Language: Slavic
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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
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Compare Yana with:
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
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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, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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
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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.
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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