Holding steady.
Popularity of Dian since 1912
Babies named Dian per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 60 |
| 1930s | 579 |
| 1940s | 1,978 |
| 1950s | 1,538 |
| 1960s | 716 |
| 1970s | 205 |
| 1980s | 149 |
| 1990s | 86 |
| 2000s | 48 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Dian is a name that has seen modest use in the United States since the early 1900s. First recorded in 1912, it reached its highest popularity in 1946, when it ranked within the top 1000 names for boys. Since then, its usage has remained stable but low, and it has not appeared in recent rankings. The name's origins are plural: it may be an English variant of the Latin Diana, or a borrowing from the Indonesian word for 'candle'. This dual heritage gives Dian a quiet, cross-cultural appeal. While it has never been a common choice, its simplicity and connection to more popular names like Diana make it recognizable without being overused. The name has not been tied to any particular state or region, reflecting its scattered, infrequent use across the country.
Dian may be a shortened form of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon, from Latin dīva meaning 'goddess' or 'divine'. In Indonesia, Dian is a common given name meaning 'candle' or 'lamp'. The name has been used in the United States since the early 20th century, with a peak in popularity in the 1940s.
Where Dian 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Di, Annie, Didi
Sibling names for Dian
Names that share Dian's style, for a brother or sister.
