Indiana Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Indiana originates from American English and means 'Land of the Indians'. It evolved from the term 'Indian' and gained prominence in the 19th century with the establishment of the state. The name is often associated with adventure and has a positive modern image, with connections to notable figures and popular culture.
The name Indiana is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West 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, Indiana has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Indiana' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6304th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3447th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2065th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2714th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4967th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 10657th out of 12526 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8043rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4780th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2121st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Indiana' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Indiana"
Pronunciation
/ˌɪndiˈænə/
Origin
American English
Etymology
The name 'Indiana' is derived from the term 'Land of the Indians', reflecting its roots in Native American heritage and the early European settlers' recognition of the indigenous peoples.
Meaning
Land of the Indians
Language Evolution
Indian (Old English), Indiana (American English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly when Indiana became a state in the United States in 1816.
Variants & Derivatives
Indy, Anna
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Indiana evokes a sense of adventure and nostalgia, often associated with the famous character Indiana Jones and the state known for its diverse culture.
Famous People
Indiana Evans, Indiana Jones (fictional character), Indiana University alumni
Explore More Indiana Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Indiana"
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 of "Indiana"
"Indiana" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6304th of 16616 | 96 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3447th of 24088 | 447 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2065th of 23106 | 843 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2714th of 9107 | 194 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4967th of 9204 | 56 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 10657th of 12526 | 11 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8043rd of 27321 | 138 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4780th of 35406 | 444 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2121st of 30306 | 1,069 |
Regional Popularity of "Indiana" by Generation for 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) |
- | - | - |
58.75% 3711th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
30.51% 2277th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
83.98% 3768th/4487 |
35.44% 2418th/6822 |
22.48% 1411th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Indiana" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
- |
83.08% 5248th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
81.95% 5993rd/7313 |
44.82% 3345th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
65.19% 2925th/4487 |
41.41% 2825th/6822 |
23.96% 1504th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Indiana"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Indiana" 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.