Dana
How to say it: DAY-nuh · /ˈdeɪnə/
Multiple origins: Hebrew for 'arbiter/judge'; Old Norse for a Dane; also an English surname used as a given name.
Dana was the 320th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 244 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are up about 11% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #269 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #320 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 244 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,215 |
| Peak decade | 1970s |
| Change over 10 years | +11% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #269 |
| In France, 2025 | #518 among girls’ names, 75 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Dana reached its fullest use in the 1970s before fading. Far below that mark today, it is expected to turn upward again.
What goes with it
Light on its feet, DAY nuh blends soft flow with a crisp touch and a gentle air. Jenna makes a fitting companion.
Nicknames
- Dani
Honouring a Dana in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Dana is about 1 in 134.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Arabic, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Polish, Russian.
In France: #518 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Dana
- Dana International (born 1969)Israeli singer
- Dana Delany (born 1956)American actress
- Dana Rosemary Scallon (born 1951)Northern Irish singer and politician
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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