Declining since 2007, #2,099 for girls today.
Popularity of Sanaa since 1977
Babies named Sanaa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 56 |
| 1990s | 104 |
| 2000s | 3,178 |
| 2010s | 2,202 |
| 2020s | 601 |
Meaning & origin
Sanaa first entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1977 and saw a steady rise in popularity, reaching its peak rank in 2006. Since 2007, its usage has been gradually declining, though it remains a familiar choice. In 2025, the name ranked 2099th, with about 1 in 18,059 girls receiving the name. Its popularity has been centered in states such as Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia, reflecting a broader trend of Arabic names gaining visibility in diverse communities. Sanaa carries a meaning of beauty and radiance, deeply rooted in Arabic etymology, and is also known as the name of Yemen's capital.
Sanaa is an Arabic name derived from the root s-n-w, carrying meanings such as brilliance, radiance, beauty, and artwork. It is also the name of the capital city of Yemen. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and gained some popularity in the United States beginning in the late 20th century.
Where Sanaa 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.
“Sanaa” around the world
Where Sanaa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
80
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sana, Sani, NaNa
Sibling names for Sanaa
Names that share Sanaa's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Layla, Zara, Amira, Nadia, Fatima, Aalayah, Aniya, Ashanti, Ayanna, Emani, Imani, Kamaria, Naisha, Nakia, Niyah, Nyasia, Zariya, Zariyah, Ameerah, Anaiya, Azeneth, Dajah, Erykah, Janai, Kaliah, Kamara, Kaniya, Kaniyah, Laisha, Nahla, Nairobi, Nariah, Nubia, Sinai, Taraji, Aariyah, Alajah, Aleiyah, Ashiya, Ayannah, Deajah, Falisha, Iasia, Imoni, Iyanah, Jabria, Jahlani, Jamela, Janaiya, Jasiyah, Jasmeen, Jayana, Jehlani, Kamarie, Keianna, Keiona, Makaya, Makyia, Maleyah, Naija, Nakira, Nandi, Nasia, Niara, Niasia, Rmani, Saliyah, Samora, Samyia, Saudia, Shaliyah, Teairra, Tenika, Teyana, Zharia, Aaliah, Aamani, Adisa, Adja, Aeisha, Afrika, Akiera, Anani, Ashaki, Ashani, Ashunti, Ayaana, Ayasha, Chanise, Cimani, Dalaya, Dalaysia, Danaisha, Demiah, Dynasia, Emanie, Imara, Jahlia, Jamaiya, Janeya, Kamarah, Keniah, Kenyana, Khalaya, Khamya, Kioni, Lanaiya, Lanayah, Laraya, Naziya, Niani, Nyara, Nyashia, Sahari, Sakiya, Taleya, Tanajah, Tanayah, Teliyah, Tyriana, Ymani, Zalika, Zanayah, Zyriah, Akeia, Dajana, Dehlani, Khaloni, Zaliah, Aaleeyah, Aaliayah, Aayana, Adaja, Amijah, Aniesha, Annisha, Ashantee, Aujanae, Camani, Dajha, Deysha, Falana, Iyahna, Jahira, Jalaia, Jaleeyah, Janaysha, Kanija, Kanyah, Kasiya, Khaniya, Mahia, Malayasia, Marjani, Marsai, Miasha, Monasia, Neosha, Niajah, Nyjae, Nylayah, Nyrobi, Ranika, Sakia, Sakira, Sanova, Shantana, Shekira, Shikira, Tamani, Tanazia, Taneia, Tarahji, Tiombe, Zarahi
Brothers: Zayn, Omar, Yusuf, Tariq, Khalil, Jabari, Khari, Khyree, Kymani, Omari, Sekani, Shomari, Tyrese, Zaire, Dakarai, Dakari, Damani, Dayvon, Jarell, Kadeem, Kion, Nyjah, Rakeem, Rasheem, Tayshaun, Xavien, Zymir, Dakhari, Dayquan, Demani, Demarko, Derrius, Jahmel, Jamani, Jameir, Jyaire, Kashaun, Khamani, Khiry, Kyrese, Masai, Mekhai, Nazier, Nyaire, Quavon, Rahmir, Symir, Tafari, Tavoris, Akhari, Avonte, Bakari, Devarius, Hykeem, Ikeem, Jahaad, Jahsai, Jalik, Jamai, Javani, Jazier, Jhacari, Jibri, Jmari, Jsean, Kaevon, Kamarii, Keyandre, Khyre, Kiandre, Makhari, Maliq, Mansa, Nakeem, Rasaan, Roshad, Ryheem, Shyheem, Tahjae, Tevion, Trevante, Tyquez, Yahmir, Zymeir, Jahbari, Amahri, Amarrion, Damare, Dameir, Daveyon, Demarquez, Dequavious, Dishon, Dmani, Dmoni, Jabaree, Jadakiss, Jahmani, Jahmyr, Jahzier, Jamerius, Jaquavian, Jmarion, Juvon, Kemontae, Khamoni, Kimoni, Kionte, Marquarius, Nahiem, Nyheim, Omarii, Onaje, Oshae, Quayshaun, Saiquan, Shakai, Taheem, Teshaun, Trelon, Tyhir, Zhamir, Zhyon, Zyeir, Zykeem
