Rising since 1988, #140 for girls today.
Popularity of Alana since 1930
Babies named Alana per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alana's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 44 |
| 1940s | 1,143 |
| 1950s | 1,413 |
| 1960s | 1,889 |
| 1970s | 3,519 |
| 1980s | 6,916 |
| 1990s | 9,220 |
| 2000s | 17,935 |
| 2010s | 16,263 |
| 2020s | 9,922 |
Meaning & origin
Alana has been a steadily rising favorite in the United States, entering the top 150 for the first time in 2025 with a rank of 140. The name's popularity has climbed since 1988, with a 1 in 771 frequency among newborn girls. Its peak year is also 2025, reflecting ongoing growth. Most popular in Hawaii, Florida, and Delaware, Alana's appeal likely stems from its multicultural resonance and pleasing sound, offering both Irish and Hawaiian heritage connections.
Alana has multiple proposed origins. It is often considered a feminine form of Alan, which itself may derive from an Old Breton word for 'little rock' or from a Celtic word for 'harmony'. In Hawaiian, Alana means 'awakening' or 'beautiful'. The name gained popularity in the United States from the mid-20th century onward.
Where Alana is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alana” around the world
Where Alana lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
100
babies in 2024
Ireland
17
babies in 2025
New Zealand
12
babies in 2025
Quebec
16
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lana, Ally, Lani
Sibling names for Alana
Names that share Alana's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aria, Elena, Maya, Sienna, Isla, Briana, Keonna, Keyara, Kiana, Maliah, Adena, Alexcia, Breonna, Brionna, Chynna, Delana, Makala, Shala, Taisha, Tiarra, Tionna, Ailana, Alanie, Alany, Alika, Alonda, Anasia, Anetra, Briahna, Ceaira, Chardae, Chavon, Cyanna, Dierra, Jacara, Jakara, Jamera, Keyaira, Keyera, Kiandra, Lania, Larisha, Leeana, Leiana, Makalah, Makyah, Malana, Myana, Niyana, Shanea, Tashayla, Tayana, Tayanna, Teana, Tearra, Teonna, Timara, Tiyana, Alannis, Alanny, Aleni, Aytana, Ceira, Chyanna, Cyerra, Delanna, Derica, Elanda, Evonna, Illyanna, Jalana, Jonnae, Kashayla, Kayana, Malania, Mayana, Nakea, Shanah, Shanara, Shenae, Siearra, Teyona, Tichina, Timera, Dajana, Halana, Kashara, Alanee, Alaria, Anecia, Audrena, Aynara, Briena, Caileen, Chatara, Cheyna, Chrishana, Cionna, Deveney, Elany, Falana, Halei, Jacayla, Jonay, Katanya, Keiandra, Kimla, Lavana, Liandra, Lowana, Makela, Neysha, Shantara, Sieara, Tyerra, Yobana
Brothers: Liam, Noah, Ethan, Caleb, Owen, Zion, Jamarr, Montrell, Taurean, Trayvon, Tyrek, Alante, Cartez, Alando, Aldair, Deundre, Jamone, Jermar, Alakay, Alano, Derreon, Joevon, Kielan, Marcquis, Marqual, Tavaras, Trelon
Names like Alana
Names whose popularity has moved with Alana's over the last 50 years.
