Declining since 2021, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Iolana since 2003
Babies named Iolana per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 22 |
| 2020s | 52 |
Meaning & origin
Iolana first entered U.S. birth records in 2003, a recent arrival compared to many established names. Its peak popularity came in 2020, when it was 13,208th in the rankings. Since 2021, its usage has been on a downward trajectory, though still given to roughly 1 in every 267,878 newborn girls in 2025. The name has not yet been recorded in any top state listings, suggesting it remains a rare choice even within Hawaiian communities. Iolana's Hawaiian origins connect it to the natural world, specifically the soaring flight of a hawk, making it a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with cultural significance and a sense of freedom.
Iolana is a Hawaiian name meaning 'to soar' or 'to fly like a hawk.' It is derived from the Hawaiian root 'iole' (to fly) and the suffix '-ana' which forms nouns. The name evokes the image of a hawk in flight, a symbol of freedom and vision in Hawaiian culture. It has been used in Hawaii and by families with Hawaiian heritage, gaining modest popularity in the United States since the early 2000s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Io, Lana, Ana
Sibling names for Iolana
Names that share Iolana's style, for a brother or sister.
