Dana Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationDAY-nuh / /ˈdeɪ.nə/Hebrew; Irish
Meaning
Hebrew: 'God is my judge'; Irish: 'from the oak tree'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dana has roots in both Hebrew and Irish cultures. In Hebrew, it is often associated with divine judgment, while in Irish, it reflects a connection to nature and strength. The name has been used for both genders, though it is more commonly associated with females in modern contexts. Its versatility has contributed to its enduring popularity.
Trend Summary
Dana has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable decline in usage for boys since the 1990s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Danna
- Dane
International Variants
- Dána (Irish)
- Dana (Slavic)
Famous people named Dana
Dana Carvey is an American comedian and actor known for his work on 'Saturday Night Live'.
Dana White is the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Dana Bash is a political correspondent for CNN.
Dana Ivey is an American actress recognized for her roles in theater and film.
Fictional characters named Dana
Dana Scully is a main character in 'The X-Files', known for her role as an FBI agent and medical doctor.
Dana Fairbanks is a character in the television series 'The L Word', representing themes of identity and relationships.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dana was first seen in the United States in 1880. Dana has ranked as high as #360 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in California, Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, and Maine. In the past 5 years the name Dana has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Dana (2021)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 12 |
| 1881 | 9 |
| 1882 | 14 |
| 1883 | 6 |
| 1884 | 11 |
| 1885 | 9 |
| 1886 | 8 |
| 1887 | 7 |
| 1888 | 6 |
| 1889 | 8 |
| 1890 | 7 |
| 1891 | 15 |
| 1892 | 10 |
| 1893 | 10 |
| 1894 | 13 |
| 1895 | 12 |
| 1896 | 10 |
| 1897 | 7 |
| 1898 | 9 |
| 1899 | 15 |
| 1900 | 19 |
| 1901 | 11 |
| 1902 | 9 |
| 1903 | 9 |
| 1904 | 11 |
| 1905 | 15 |
| 1906 | 15 |
| 1907 | 15 |
| 1908 | 14 |
| 1909 | 16 |
| 1910 | 19 |
| 1911 | 26 |
| 1912 | 45 |
| 1913 | 53 |
| 1914 | 64 |
| 1915 | 89 |
| 1916 | 85 |
| 1917 | 97 |
| 1918 | 108 |
| 1919 | 83 |
| 1920 | 98 |
| 1921 | 107 |
| 1922 | 128 |
| 1923 | 110 |
| 1924 | 112 |
| 1925 | 116 |
| 1926 | 114 |
| 1927 | 141 |
| 1928 | 129 |
| 1929 | 122 |
| 1930 | 123 |
| 1931 | 130 |
| 1932 | 130 |
| 1933 | 134 |
| 1934 | 128 |
| 1935 | 120 |
| 1936 | 118 |
| 1937 | 133 |
| 1938 | 132 |
| 1939 | 144 |
| 1940 | 142 |
| 1941 | 144 |
| 1942 | 162 |
| 1943 | 186 |
| 1944 | 260 |
| 1945 | 340 |
| 1946 | 580 |
| 1947 | 945 |
| 1948 | 1,021 |
| 1949 | 1,079 |
| 1950 | 1,198 |
| 1951 | 1,283 |
| 1952 | 1,380 |
| 1953 | 1,504 |
| 1954 | 1,741 |
| 1955 | 1,571 |
| 1956 | 1,634 |
| 1957 | 1,619 |
| 1958 | 1,536 |
| 1959 | 1,693 |
| 1960 | 1,673 |
| 1961 | 1,693 |
| 1962 | 1,796 |
| 1963 | 1,621 |
| 1964 | 1,355 |
| 1965 | 1,216 |
| 1966 | 1,018 |
| 1967 | 1,028 |
| 1968 | 1,021 |
| 1969 | 1,006 |
| 1970 | 1,038 |
| 1971 | 1,098 |
| 1972 | 1,030 |
| 1973 | 1,013 |
| 1974 | 813 |
| 1975 | 858 |
| 1976 | 671 |
| 1977 | 638 |
| 1978 | 539 |
| 1979 | 627 |
| 1980 | 508 |
| 1981 | 542 |
| 1982 | 529 |
| 1983 | 476 |
| 1984 | 489 |
| 1985 | 482 |
| 1986 | 467 |
| 1987 | 419 |
| 1988 | 385 |
| 1989 | 358 |
| 1990 | 346 |
| 1991 | 335 |
| 1992 | 271 |
| 1993 | 246 |
| 1994 | 197 |
| 1995 | 186 |
| 1996 | 161 |
| 1997 | 151 |
| 1998 | 117 |
| 1999 | 113 |
| 2000 | 113 |
| 2001 | 99 |
| 2002 | 83 |
| 2003 | 78 |
| 2004 | 65 |
| 2005 | 74 |
| 2006 | 64 |
| 2007 | 74 |
| 2008 | 63 |
| 2009 | 57 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 40 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 27 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 25 |