Declining since 2002, #1,160 for girls today.
Popularity of Ayana since 1970
Babies named Ayana per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 1,016 |
| 1980s | 907 |
| 1990s | 2,511 |
| 2000s | 3,678 |
| 2010s | 2,671 |
| 2020s | 1,308 |
Meaning & origin
Ayana is a name of multiple cultural origins, meaning 'beautiful flower' in Japanese and Ethiopian, and 'path' in Sanskrit. In the United States, it has been used since 1970 and reached its peak popularity in 2001, ranking 1,160 in 2025. The name is given to about 1 in every 8,036 newborn girls, and its popularity has been declining since 2002. Ayana is most common in Florida, New York, and Michigan, reflecting its diverse appeal.
Ayana has multiple possible origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'colorful' or 'beautiful flower' (彩) or 'design' (紋). In Ethiopian (Amharic), it is a feminine name meaning 'beautiful flower'. In Sanskrit, it means 'mode of life' or 'path'. In modern usage, it is often a respelling of Ayanna, derived from Swahili meaning 'beautiful flower' or 'innocent'. The name gained popularity in the United States from the 1970s onward.
Where Ayana 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.
“Ayana” around the world
Where Ayana lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
135
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
9
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ana, Aya, Yana
Sibling names for Ayana
Names that share Ayana's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Ayana
Names whose popularity has moved with Ayana's over the last 50 years.
