Dana
Dana is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
From Denmark or Dane.
Origin and history
Dana originated as an English surname used to designate someone from Denmark or a Dane. It transitioned into a popular unisex given name in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century. Although its usage for girls has decreased recently, it remains a classic and recognizable name.
Popularity in the United States
193,555 babies in the United States have been named Dana since 1880. It ranks #203 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #977.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.2 %)
- NY (7.2 %)
- TX (7.1 %)
- PA (6.3 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 45 |
| 1890-1900 | 100 |
| 1900-1910 | 113 |
| 1910-1920 | 367 |
| 1920-1930 | 768 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,232 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,429 |
| 1950-1960 | 17,106 |
| 1960-1970 | 47,701 |
| 1970-1980 | 51,358 |
| 1980-1990 | 36,826 |
| 1990-2000 | 19,284 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,942 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,828 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,456 |
Famous people named Dana
- Dana Delany: Actress, Producer
- Dana Reeve: Actress, Activist
Fun facts
- While historically given to both boys and girls, Dana experienced its peak popularity for females in the U.S. between the 1960s and 1980s.
- It derived from an Old English ethnonym used to identify native inhabitants or settlers from Denmark.