Girl · 18th of 12,526
Diane
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
519,974
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1955
Peak Popularity Year
23,344
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Diane stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Diane is a name of Latin origin, derived from 'Diana', meaning 'divine' or 'heavenly'. The name has evolved from its original form in Latin to its modern usage in English. It reflects traits of elegance and femininity, without direct biblical relevance. Diane gained popularity in the mid-20th century and continues to be recognized today, with notable figures such as Diane Keaton and Diane von Furstenberg.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/diˈæn/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Diane is derived from the Latin name 'Diana', which means 'divine' or 'heavenly'. In Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the moon and hunting.
Meaning
divine, heavenly
Language Evolution
Diana, Diane
Historical Usage
The name Diane gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly in the mid-1900s, becoming a fashionable choice for girls.
Variants & Derivatives
Diana, Di, Didi
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Diane carries a classic and elegant image, often associated with femininity and grace. It remains a recognizable name, though less common than in previous decades.
Famous People
Diane Keaton, Diane von Furstenberg, Diane Wiest
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 23,344 peak births in 1955
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
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
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1979th of 6773 | 252 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1192nd of 7552 | 767 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2387th of 10718 | 259 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5970th of 16616 | 106 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 733rd of 9107 | 1,726 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 57th of 9204 | 79,018 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 18th of 12526 | 353,088 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 82nd of 19264 | 66,069 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 310th of 27321 | 13,776 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1007th of 35406 | 3,828 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2129th of 30306 | 1,064 |