Alana Name Meaning

The name is derived from the Old Irish name Ailin, which means “bright and fair.” In Scotland, the name Alana is a variation of the name Alannah, which means “dear child.”

Origins of the Name Alana

The name Alana first came into use in the 18th century in Ireland and Scotland, and quickly gained popularity among parents in both countries. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the name truly took off in popularity.

In the United States, the name Alana first entered the top 1,000 baby names in the 1940s and reached its peak of popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, the name is still a popular choice for parents in the United States, but has fallen out of the top 100 names.

Popularity of the Name Alana

Despite its decline in popularity in recent years, the name Alana remains a popular choice for parents. In fact, it’s still a top 100 name in many countries, including Ireland and Scotland.

One reason for the name’s continued popularity is its versatility. Alana is a strong and independent name that is suitable for both girls and women, making it a great choice for parents who want a name that will grow with their child.

Other reason for its popularity is its simplicity and easy pronunciation, which makes it easy for people to remember and pronounce, regardless of their native language.

Famous Alanas

There are several notable women with the name Alana, including actress Alana de la Garza, who is best known for her roles on “Law & Order” and “Forever,” and Alana Stewart, the former wife of actor George Hamilton and close friend of Farrah Fawcett.

In addition, Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, the child beauty pageant contestant from the reality TV show “Toddlers & Tiaras” and her own spin-off “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” .

The name Alana has also been used in literature and pop culture, such as the character Alana from the popular comic series “Saga” and the song “Alana” by the band Portugal. The Man.

Final Thoughts on the Name Alana

All in all, the name Alana is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. With its strong Irish and Scottish roots, bright and fair meaning, and continued popularity, it’s no wonder that so many parents continue to choose this name for their daughters. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature, pop culture, or just appreciate a good, strong name, Alana is definitely worth considering.

Infographic of Alana name meaning, which is A female variant of Alan, Alana is an English name meaning little rock.
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Alana Name Popularity

How popular is the name Alana? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 — 0 0%
1911 — 0 0%
1912 — 0 0%
1913 — 0 0%
1914 — 0 0%
1915 — 0 0%
1916 — 0 0%
1917 — 0 0%
1918 — 0 0%
1919 — 0 0%
1920 — 0 0%
1921 — 0 0%
1922 — 0 0%
1923 — 0 0%
1924 — 0 0%
1925 — 0 0%
1926 — 0 0%
1927 — 0 0%
1928 — 0 0%
1929 — 0 0%
1930 — 0 0%
1931 — 0 0%
1932 — 0 0%
1933 — 0 0%
1934 — 0 0%
1935 — 0 0%
1936 — 0 0%
1937 — 0 0%
1938 — 0 0%
1939 — 0 0%
1940 — 0 0%
1941 — 0 0%
1942 — 0 0%
1943 — 18 0.0014%
1944 — 62 0.005%
1945 — 89 0.0073%
1946 — 152 0.0103%
1947 — 164 0.0098%
1948 — 162 0.0101%
1949 — 126 0.0078%
1950 — 118 0.0073%
1951 — 143 0.0084%
1952 — 121 0.0069%
1953 — 102 0.0058%
1954 — 80 0.0044%
1955 — 69 0.0038%
1956 — 58 0.0031%
1957 — 51 0.0027%
1958 — 48 0.0025%
1959 — 37 0.0019%
1960 — 74 0.0039%
1961 — 90 0.0048%
1962 — 92 0.005%
1963 — 155 0.0086%
1964 — 152 0.0086%
1965 — 127 0.0078%
1966 — 134 0.0086%
1967 — 162 0.0107%
1968 — 138 0.0092%
1969 — 150 0.0097%
1970 — 178 0.0112%
1971 — 137 0.0091%
1972 — 161 0.0118%
1973 — 216 0.0167%
1974 — 276 0.0212%
1975 — 385 0.03%
1976 — 323 0.0251%
1977 — 326 0.0242%
1978 — 385 0.0286%
1979 — 576 0.0409%
1980 — 585 0.04%
1981 — 607 0.0413%
1982 — 675 0.0452%
1983 — 604 0.0409%
1984 — 621 0.0417%
1985 — 954 0.0629%
1986 — 704 0.0466%
1987 — 581 0.0381%
1988 — 596 0.0382%
1989 — 625 0.0387%
1990 — 690 0.0416%
1991 — 672 0.0412%
1992 — 624 0.0391%
1993 — 750 0.0481%
1994 — 760 0.0495%
1995 — 877 0.0582%
1996 — 1,128 0.0753%
1997 — 1,003 0.0678%
1998 — 1,198 0.08%
1999 — 1,214 0.0811%
2000 — 1,247 0.0816%
2001 — 1,216 0.0807%
2002 — 1,370 0.0914%
2003 — 1,602 0.1053%
2004 — 1,897 0.1245%
2005 — 1,965 0.1285%
2006 — 2,109 0.1347%
2007 — 2,448 0.1552%
2008 — 2,023 0.1309%
2009 — 1,884 0.1261%
2010 — 1,800 0.1249%
2011 — 1,686 0.1183%
2012 — 1,754 0.1231%
2013 — 1,748 0.1228%
2014 — 1,662 0.1141%
2015 — 1,606 0.1104%
2016 — 1,548 0.1074%
2017 — 1,414 0.1013%
2018 — 1,511 0.11%
2019 — 1,313 0.097%
2020 — 1,354 0.1064%
2021 — 1,200 0.0982%
2022 — 1,386 0.1051%
2023 — 1,587 0.1226%

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Data via SSA.gov.


Names Like Alana

If you like Alana, you’ll love these other names like Alana.


What names are variants of Alana?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Alana.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Alaina

Little rock

French

Alaine

Precious

German

Alanah

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alane

Precious; precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alani

Ripe

Polynesian

Alanis

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alanna

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alannah

Precious

German

Alawna

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alayne

Precious; precious; awakening; sun ray, shining light

Polynesian

Alene

Precious; awakening; light; sun ray, shining light

Polynesian

Aleyna

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Aleynah

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Aleyne

Precious; precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alie

Precious; awakening; noble, bright, famous; man's defender; noble, exalted

Polynesian

Allana

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alleen

Precious; precious; awakening; light

Polynesian

Allena

Precious

German

Allene

Precious; precious; awakening; light

Polynesian

Alleynah

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Alleyne

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Allina

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Allinah

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Allyn

Precious; precious; awakening

Polynesian

Allyna

Precious; awakening; light

Polynesian

Alona

Oak tree

Hebrew

Alonna

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Lana

Little rock

English

Lanah

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Lanna

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Lannah

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Lannie

Precious; awakening

Polynesian

Lanny

Precious; awakening

Polynesian


What names sound like Alana?

If you like how Alana sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Alana.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Alayna

Little rock

English

Aleana

Rising, ascending

Hebrew

Alena

Tower

Russian

Alina

Noble one

German

Alyna

Light

Greek

Elana

Tree

Hebrew

Ilana

Tree

Hebrew


Lists With Alana

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Alana.


Siblings of Alana

Mamas with kids named Alana also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Walden

Wooded valley

English

Jaxon

Son of Jack

English

Landon

Long hill

English

Serenity

Calmness

English

Lilly

Lily flower

English

14 Comments

  1. My name is alana i think it is a strong name for women and girls

  2. I love the name. I felt that was her name. It was like she decided her name

  3. 1. Personal Decision between God and I. My husband chose the name and I absolutely loved it.
    2. Name is beautiful and unique to us. There are no dislikes to our baby’s name.
    3. Nothing else to share.

  4. We just like it’s German meaning

  5. My fiance chose the name after hearing it on a television show.

  6. I named Alana after my favorite uncle. His middle name was Alan.
    She doesn’t like that people pronounce it wrong.

  7. Alana is a very beautiful name and I knew that my daughter would be beautiful. Alana was the first name on Mommy and Daddy’s list of girl names.

  8. Alana just popped into my head one day and stuck

  9. It’s elegant for when she gets old. She can be an Allie till then. My hubby picked it. I wished we’d have spelled it differently however.

  10. It’s elegant for when she gets old. She can be an Allie till then. My hubby picked it.

  11. The name Alana means blessing so the name Alana Grace was perfect for our little miracle rainbow baby!

    • my name is Alana

    • Omg. My name is also Alana Grace and I’m a rainbow baby too! Small world!

  12. I really enjoy the show Broad City and the character Ilana is a firecracker! I like that spirit and liked the name.
    I liked how the name looked with an “A” though . We do get people pronouncing it a-LANE-a though.


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