Alana Overview
- Meaning: In Old High German (the earliest form of the German language), the name means “precious,” while in Irish, the name means “child.” In Hawaiian, Alana means “harmony,” and in Aramaic (the language originating in ancient Syria), the name translates to “exalted,” which means a person of high rank or status.
- Gender: Alana has primarily been given to children as a feminine name in most of the world. In Hawaii, Alana is a gender-neutral or unisex name.
- Origin: Alana has contested origins, though it has generally been narrowed down to Irish or German roots. The name was likely popularized as a feminine form of the masculine name Alan.
- Pronunciation: “uh-LON-uh”
- Popularity: Alana is a popular name, staying within the top 500 since 1975. In 2021, Alana was the 224th most popular name.
- Nicknames: Al, Ala, Alani, Ali, Alia, Ana, Lana.
- Variations: Ailean, Ailín, Alain, Alaina, Alan, Alani, Alannah, Alen, Allan, Alun, Lana.
- Namesakes: Alana Thompson,Alanah Pearce,Alanna Masterson.
What Does Alana Mean?
Alana has several different meanings depending on the language it is derived from. In Old High German, the earliest form of the German language, the name means “precious,” while in Irish, the name means “child” (1).
In Hawaiian, Alana means “harmony,” and in Aramaic, one of the oldest languages in the world, the name Alanna translates to “exalted,” meaning a person of high rank or status (2).
Due to the name’s various meanings, many interpret it as “precious child.”
What Is the Origin of the Name Alana?
Alana has contested origins, though it has generally been narrowed down to Irish or German roots. The name was likely popularized as a feminine form of the masculine name Alan.
The name Alan was first brought to England by the Bretons, a group of people from what is now modern-day western France. The name spread to Scotland and Ireland, gaining particular favor in Ireland (3).
Many believe that due to the popularity of the name Alan in Ireland, the country is where the feminine version of Alana first originated.
How Popular Is the Name Alana?
Alana first broke into the top 1000 most popular names for girls in 1944. Since 1944, the name has very steadily grown in popularity.
The name first broke into the top 500 in 1975 at #446 and has continued to rise since then. In 2021, Alana was the 224th most popular name for girls in the United States (4).
How Do I Pronounce Alana?
The name Alana is pronounced “uh-LON-uh.” The name rhymes with the words “iguana” and “nirvana.”
Is Alana a Boy or Girl Name?
Alana has primarily been given to children as a feminine name in most of the world. In Hawaii, Alana is a gender-neutral or unisex name.
Variations of Alana
The name Alana has seen popularity worldwide and has been adapted to many different languages. We’ve compiled a broad selection for you to browse from below!
- Ailean (Scottish Gaelic)
- Ailín (Medieval Irish)
- Alain (French)
- Alaina (English)
- Alan (Breton, English)
- Alani (English)
- Alannah (Irish)
- Alen (Armenian, Croatian, Slovene)
- Allan (Estonian, Swedish)
- Alun (Welsh)
- Lana (English)
Nicknames for Alana
Although Alana is already a short name, there are still many great nicknames you can get out of it. We put together a few for you to choose from:
- Al
- Ala
- Alani
- Ali
- Alia
- Ana
- Lana
Similar Names to Alana
If the name Alana gathers your interest, these similar names will be right up your alley.
- Adelina
- Anya
- Arin
- Aurora
- Ava
- Bella
- Delilah
- Elizah
- Elowen
- Esme
- Flora
- Genevieve
- Juliet
- Lila
- Saoirse
- Scarlett
- Seraphina
Middle Names for Alana
Since Alana is a short name, many middle names fit perfectly.
- Beatrice
- Blair
- Bree
- Brooke
- Caprice
- Caroline
- Cerise
- Dawn
- Evelyn
- Grace
- Kerry
- Macy
- Mae
- Mia
- Olive
- Rae
Sibling Names for Alana
These sibling names will work perfectly, as many benefit from being gender-neutral or unisex.
- Adrian
- Alexis
- Blake
- Brynn
- Camden
- Emery
- Finley
- Haden
- Harper
- Josie
- Kieran
- Marley
- Monroe
- Remy
- Rowan
- Sawyer
Famous People Named Alana
Since there are many variations on the name Alana (such as Alannah or Alanah), these famous names have various spellings.
- Alana Henderson: Northern Irish cellist and singer.
- Alana Thompson: former child star from the reality shows “Toddlers & Tiaras” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.”
- Alanah Pearce: Australian writer specializing in video game news.
- Alanna Heiss: founder of The Institute of Art and Urban Resources.
- Alanna Masterson: American actress well-known for her role in the TV series “The Walking Dead.”
- Alanna Ubach: American actress well-known for her role in the movies “Legally Blonde” and “Meet the Fockers.”
- Alannah Currie: New Zealand musician from the pop group “The Thompson Twins.”
Alana in Popular Culture
Modern popular culture has used the name Alana frequently.
- Alana: a mermaid and one of King Triton’s daughters in the movie “The Little Mermaid.”
- Alana Beck: a character in the musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”
- Alana Bloom: a character in the TV series “Hannibal.”
- Alana Reeves: a character in the novel “Forget Me Not.”
Alana FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the name Alana.
When Was the Name Alana Most Popular?
The most popular year for the name Alana so far was 2007, when it became the 143rd most popular name for girls in the United States.
What Is Alana a Nickname For?
The names that commonly use “Alana” as a shortened form or nickname are Alanis and Alani. Alanis is a Greek girl name that means beautiful, and Alani is a Hawaiian name that means “orange tree” or “precious.”
How Many Ways Can You Spell Alana?
In English, the common spellings of the name Alana include Alana, Alanna, Alanah, Alannah, Alannh, and Lana.
