Shana Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHAH-nah //ˈʃɑː.nə//
Origin: Hebrew; Irish
Meaning: Hebrew: 'lily'; Irish: 'God is gracious'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shana has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "שָׁנָה" (shanah), which means "to change" or "to become different." This Hebrew term has been associated with the concept of renewal and transformation, reflecting a deeper cultural significance in Jewish tradition. The name has also been linked to the word "שָׁנָה" (shana), meaning "year," which carries connotations of time and cycles, further enriching its meaning within the context of life and growth.
The transition of Shana into English likely occurred through the influence of Jewish communities and cultural exchanges, particularly during the periods of migration and settlement in English-speaking countries. Historically, the name Shana has been used in various forms across cultures, with notable mentions in Jewish texts and traditions.
It is sometimes associated with the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which marks the Jewish New Year, emphasizing themes of reflection and renewal. The name has also appeared in various forms in literature and religious texts, contributing to its recognition and use over the centuries.
While specific instances of the name in historical records may be sparse, its roots in Hebrew culture provide a strong foundation for its significance. Culturally, Shana resonates with themes of change and renewal, making it a name that embodies hope and transformation.
Its association with the cyclical nature of time and the Jewish New Year adds a layer of depth to its meaning. The name has also been adapted into various diminutive forms, such as Shani, which may carry similar connotations.
Overall, Shana reflects a rich linguistic and cultural heritage, symbolizing the enduring values of change and renewal that are central to many traditions.
Famous people named Shana
In this section, you will find notable people named Shana. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Shana who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Shana who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Shana Tova is a singer best known for her work in the Jewish music genre.
Shana Feste is a filmmaker best known for The Greatest, Something Borrowed, and The Last Song.
Fictional characters named Shana
The following list of fictional characters named Shana is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Shana is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Shakugan no Shana. She is a Flame Haze who battles against the Denizens to protect the human world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shana, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Shana. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Shana was first seen in the United States in 1937.
Shana has ranked as high as #349 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Shana has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shana is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Shana was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Shana.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 2024 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 2023 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 2022 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2021 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2020 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2019 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 2018 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 2017 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| 2016 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2015 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 2014 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 2013 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 2012 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 2011 | 49 | 0 | 49 |
| 2010 | 49 | 0 | 49 |
| 2009 | 61 | 0 | 61 |
| 2008 | 95 | 0 | 95 |
| 2007 | 74 | 0 | 74 |
| 2006 | 111 | 0 | 111 |
| 2005 | 115 | 0 | 115 |
| 2004 | 114 | 0 | 114 |
| 2003 | 144 | 0 | 144 |
| 2002 | 137 | 0 | 137 |
| 2001 | 145 | 0 | 145 |
| 2000 | 192 | 0 | 192 |
| 1999 | 212 | 0 | 212 |
| 1998 | 254 | 0 | 254 |
| 1997 | 277 | 0 | 277 |
| 1996 | 342 | 0 | 342 |
| 1995 | 367 | 0 | 367 |
| 1994 | 395 | 0 | 395 |
| 1993 | 521 | 0 | 521 |
| 1992 | 596 | 0 | 596 |
| 1991 | 698 | 0 | 698 |
| 1990 | 769 | 7 | 762 |
| 1989 | 776 | 7 | 769 |
| 1988 | 952 | 7 | 945 |
| 1987 | 1,026 | 8 | 1,018 |
| 1986 | 1,099 | 5 | 1,094 |
| 1985 | 1,434 | 11 | 1,423 |
| 1984 | 1,569 | 6 | 1,563 |
| 1983 | 723 | 5 | 718 |
| 1982 | 695 | 0 | 695 |
| 1981 | 819 | 0 | 819 |
| 1980 | 918 | 5 | 913 |
| 1979 | 1,204 | 6 | 1,198 |
| 1978 | 1,353 | 8 | 1,345 |
| 1977 | 1,512 | 11 | 1,501 |
| 1976 | 1,322 | 0 | 1,322 |
| 1975 | 1,028 | 9 | 1,019 |
| 1974 | 680 | 5 | 675 |
| 1973 | 689 | 7 | 682 |
| 1972 | 770 | 6 | 764 |
| 1971 | 732 | 0 | 732 |
| 1970 | 992 | 0 | 992 |
| 1969 | 877 | 0 | 877 |
| 1968 | 439 | 0 | 439 |
| 1967 | 379 | 0 | 379 |
| 1966 | 372 | 0 | 372 |
| 1965 | 265 | 0 | 265 |
| 1964 | 174 | 0 | 174 |
| 1963 | 132 | 0 | 132 |
| 1962 | 99 | 0 | 99 |
| 1961 | 92 | 0 | 92 |
| 1960 | 76 | 0 | 76 |
| 1959 | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| 1958 | 56 | 0 | 56 |
| 1957 | 38 | 0 | 38 |
| 1956 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1955 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 1954 | 44 | 0 | 44 |
| 1953 | 26 | 0 | 26 |
| 1952 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1951 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1950 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1949 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1948 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1947 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1946 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1944 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1943 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1942 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1941 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1940 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1939 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1937 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Shana (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | 5 | |
| NY | 5 |