A 1940s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Luana since 1911
Babies named Luana per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 109 |
| 1920s | 215 |
| 1930s | 309 |
| 1940s | 785 |
| 1950s | 624 |
| 1960s | 604 |
| 1970s | 304 |
| 1980s | 209 |
| 1990s | 172 |
| 2000s | 355 |
| 2010s | 569 |
| 2020s | 638 |
Meaning & origin
Luana entered U.S. birth records in 1911, but it was not until the 1940s that the name saw its first surge in use. It reached a peak rank of 1,818 in 1947, with 1 in 14,612 newborn girls receiving the name in 2025. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 1985, reflecting a broader revival of mid-century names. In recent years, Luana has been most popular in Massachusetts, Florida, and New Jersey, suggesting a coastal, multicultural appeal. Its Hawaiian resonance and soft, vowel-ending sound align with trends toward lyrical, nature-inspired names.
Luana is generally regarded as a modern coinage that emerged in the early 20th century. In Hawaiian, luana means 'to recline, lounge, or be at leisure,' and the name may have been inspired by that word. Alternatively, it is sometimes analyzed as a blend of the names Louise and Anna, following the fashion for compound feminine names. The name gained modest popularity in the United States in the 1940s, with its peak in 1947, and has seen a resurgence since the 1980s.
Where Luana is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Luana” around the world
Where Luana lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
65
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lulu, Lua, Ana
Sibling names for Luana
Names that share Luana's style, for a brother or sister.
