Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Alana is an Irish name that means 'fair' or 'beautiful', derived from the word 'Ailín'. It evolved from the Irish language to modern English and is recognized for its harmonious sound. The name does not have biblical relevance, but it gained popularity in the mid-20th century. Alana is commonly perceived as elegant and feminine, with several variants and derivatives. Notable people with this name include Alana Stewart and Alana Haim.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/əˈlænə/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Alana is derived from the Irish name 'Ailín', which means 'little rock' or 'harmony'. It is often associated with the Gaelic word 'ailin', which translates to 'rock'.
Meaning
fair, beautiful, harmony
Language Evolution
Ailín (Irish), Alana (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Alana became popular in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States, and has since gained a warm reception for its melodic quality.
Variants & Derivatives
Alana, Elena, Alayna, Lana
Modern Popularity & Image
Alana is perceived as a soft and feminine name, often associated with beauty and grace. It remains a popular choice for girls in various cultures.
Famous People
Alana Stewart - American actress and model, Alana Thompson - Reality TV personality known as 'Honey Boo Boo', Alana Haim - American musician and member of the band Haim
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,461 peak births in 2007
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (6 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 6 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13072nd of 16616 | 14 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19652nd of 24088 | 12 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1860th of 9204 | 355 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 771st of 12526 | 3,101 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 557th of 19264 | 5,187 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 342nd of 27321 | 11,998 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 200th of 35406 | 26,736 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 196th of 30306 | 18,779 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
65.06% 4758th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
62.61% 968th/1546 |
62.21% 968th/1556 |
100.00% 2353rd/2353 |
64.12% 992nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
31.84% 709th/2227 |
28.35% 689th/2430 |
35.86% 1023rd/2853 |
23.03% 639th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
18.62% 547th/2937 |
15.53% 541st/3483 |
17.79% 626th/3518 |
13.50% 546th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
9.74% 359th/3685 |
5.97% 267th/4475 |
7.05% 366th/5194 |
5.76% 364th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
4.63% 212th/4582 |
3.10% 160th/5164 |
2.56% 187th/7313 |
3.07% 229th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
6.95% 277th/3984 |
3.77% 169th/4487 |
2.64% 180th/6822 |
3.17% 199th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Hawaii across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10718th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13072nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 19652nd out of 24088 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1860th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 771st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 557th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 342nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 200th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 196th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.