Lana

/ˈlɑn.ə/

Lana has dual origins. In English, it is a short form of Alana, possibly from an Irish Gaelic word meaning “little rock.” In Slavic languages, it is a diminutive of Svetlana, meaning “light.”

US Rank 2024
No. 374
Births
829

Hollywood actress Lana Turner (1921 - 1995) popularised the name in English. Born Julia Jean Turner, she adopted Lana as her screen name, and its glamorous associations stuck.

Lana ranked No. 374 in 2024 with 829 births. It peaked at No. 188 in 1948 with 1,465 births, during Turner’s golden era in cinema.

What the name Lana means

Singer Lana Del Rey (born Elizabeth Grant) revived interest in the name from 2012 onward. Her dreamy aesthetic gave it a new cultural dimension.

Two syllables - LAN-uh - are soft and direct. The name sits comfortably between casual and elegant, working in any register.

Parents are drawn to Lana for its simplicity and cross-cultural portability. It requires no explanation in any European language.

US popularity over time

Numerology and symbolism

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

L(3) + A(1) + N(5) + A(1) = 10 = 1
Destiny number
1
Leadership
Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit
Soul urge
2
Connection
Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires
Expression
8
Authority
Sum of consonants - how others perceive you
Letters 4
Vowels / consonants 2 / 2
Birthstone Ruby
Lucky color Red

Famous people named Lana

Lana 1962 Lana
Lana 2003 Lana
Lana Hawkins 2000 Strong Medicine
Lana Winters 2012 American Horror Story: Asylum
Pacific storm Lana 2009
Lana Turner (b. 1921)
Svetlana Alliluyeva (a.k.a. Lana) (b. 1926) Notable defector
Lana Wood (b. 1946)
Lana Wachowski (b. 1965)

Lana - similar names

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Elizabeth
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Hazel
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Nora
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Lily
From Latin “lilium” meaning the lily flower; a floral name s...
Emily
From Latin “Aemilia”, feminine of the Roman family name Aemi...
Scarlett
From Old French “escarlate” meaning bright red cloth; origin...
Ella
From Old High German “alia” meaning all or completely; also ...
Avery
From Old English “Ælfríc” meaning ruler of elves, via Norman...
Mila
From Slavic “mil” meaning gracious, dear, or pleasant; a sho...
Lucy
From Latin “lux” meaning light, via Lucia; the feminine form...

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Researched by MyGall Research · Updated April 15, 2026
Girl English Irish Slavic 2 syllables light

Where it ranks highest

VT No. 109 WY No. 134 HI No. 163 AK No. 195 RI No. 198 NH No. 204 MT No. 207 ND No. 218 CA No. 227 IL No. 228 DC No. 229 SD No. 234 MI No. 245 ME No. 246 OR No. 250 AL No. 311 MA No. 311 AR No. 314 NY No. 336 IA No. 337 MN No. 345 NV No. 347 PA No. 354 ID No. 357 IN No. 359 WA No. 359 FL No. 360 GA No. 373 VA No. 376 WV No. 383 NJ No. 391 CT No. 393 MS No. 394 NM No. 403 MD No. 411 TX No. 437 NC No. 450 NE No. 456 LA No. 483 KY No. 499 AZ No. 500 CO No. 522 OH No. 524 SC No. 530 TN No. 640 KS No. 666 OK No. 671 WI No. 691 MO No. 710 UT No. 757

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