The nameLana

Lana is a girl's name with several roots, a short form of Svetlana or Alana. Lana Turner and Lana Del Rey made it famous.

Meaning

Lana is a short form of Svetlana, "light", or Alana, perhaps "precious, child". In Latin, lana means "wool".

Origin

Several origins meet in this name, Slavic, Irish and Latin.

History

Lana Turner, a Hollywood star of the 1940s, made the name known. It rose again in the 2010s, helped by Lana Del Rey, reaching the top 210 in England and Wales.

Lana in other languages

Lana is spelled the same in most languages. In the Slavic languages it is a short form of Svetlana. In the United States it owes much to the actress Lana Turner.

Famous people named Lana

Popularity of the name Lana

Lana in the United States

374thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1948peak year (1,470 births)
56,681babies named Lana in the United States since 1880
07351,470 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Lana was most popular in the United States in the 1940s, with 10,209 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Lana. Its rise began around 1940, and it peaked in 1948. Half of all babies named Lana in the United States were born before 1970, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 787 births a year.

Lana in the United Kingdom

244thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2015peak year (287 births)
6,077babies named Lana in the United Kingdom since 1997
0144287 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Lana was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 2,506 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Lana. Half of all babies named Lana in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 232 births a year.

Lana in Ireland

212thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
2012peak year (33 births)
588babies named Lana in Ireland since 1964
01733 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Lana in France

105thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2014peak year (1,740 births)
28,060babies named Lana in France since 1900
08701,740 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Lana in Belgium

354thmost popular girls' name in Belgium in 2025
2007peak year (119 births)
1,943babies named Lana in Belgium since 1995
060119 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Lana in Switzerland

237thmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025
2014peak year (88 births)
1,359babies named Lana in Switzerland since 2000
04488 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Lana in Austria

137thmost popular girls' name in Austria in 2025
2013peak year (72 births)
1,158babies named Lana in Austria since 1984
03672 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Lana

Names from the same generation as Lana, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Lana? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Lana with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Lana side by side with the name of your choice.

Lana in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Lana mean?

Lana is a short form of Svetlana, "light", or Alana, perhaps "precious, child". In Latin, lana means "wool".

What is the origin of the name Lana?

Several origins meet in this name, Slavic, Irish and Latin.

Is Lana a girl's or a boy's name?

Lana is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Lana?

In 2024, Lana was the 374th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 829 births.

What are the variants of the name Lana?

Variants and related names of Lana include Svetlana.

What are good sibling names for Lana?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Liana, Anaya, Helena and Mira for a sister, Lukas, Noel, Franklin and Kieran for a brother.

Who are famous people named Lana?

Lana Turner, actress; Lana Del Rey, singer; Lana Wachowski, filmmaker; Lana Lang, Superman character.