Alana first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Alana has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Alana

A feminine name of Celtic origin meaning "child" or "precious".

Popularity of Alana by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Alana is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Alana being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,614 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Alana.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 1,614
2022 0 1,412
2021 0 1,328
2020 0 1,399
2019 0 1,339
2018 0 1,532
2017 0 1,446
2016 0 1,572
2015 0 1,628
2014 0 1,674
2013 0 1,758
2012 0 1,779
2011 0 1,701
2010 0 1,819
2009 0 1,904
2008 0 2,036
2007 0 2,460
2006 0 2,121
2005 0 1,974
2004 7 1,913
2003 5 1,621
2002 0 1,391
2001 0 1,233
2000 0 1,279
1999 0 1,246
1998 0 1,218
1997 0 1,038
1996 0 1,155
1995 0 900
1994 0 798
1993 0 773
1992 0 670
1991 0 701
1990 0 721
1989 6 666
1988 0 652
1987 0 623
1986 0 728
1985 8 977
1984 0 655
1983 0 633
1982 0 707
1981 0 639
1980 5 636
1979 0 606
1978 0 440
1977 0 365
1976 0 370
1975 0 442
1974 0 337

The history of the first name Alana

The name Alana has its origins in the Gaelic language, specifically in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. It is derived from the old Gaelic word "alaine," which means "beautiful" or "handsome." This name has been in use since the Middle Ages in Ireland and Scotland.

Alana was a popular name among the ancient Celtic peoples who inhabited the British Isles. It is believed to have been used as early as the 5th century AD, particularly among the Irish and Scottish clans. The name is mentioned in several ancient Irish and Scottish texts, including the Annals of Ulster and the Book of Leinster.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alana is found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The entry from the year 1092 mentions an "Alana ingen Ragnaill," which translates to "Alana, daughter of Ragnaill." This suggests that the name was in use among the Irish nobility during the 11th century.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Alana. One of the most famous was Alana of Gwynedd, a 13th-century Welsh princess who was born around 1246. She was the daughter of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last sovereign prince of Wales.

Another notable Alana was Alana Bray, an English courtier and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. She was born in the mid-16th century and served at the royal court from 1559 until her death in 1596.

In the 17th century, there was Alana Beatrice Howard, an English aristocrat and courtier. She was born in 1634 and was a member of the influential Howard family.

Moving to the 20th century, one of the most well-known Alanas was Alana Parnell, an American actress and dancer. She was born in 1923 and had a successful career on Broadway and in Hollywood, appearing in several films and television shows.

Lastly, Alana Blanchard is a professional surfer from Hawaii who was born in 1990. She has won several surfing competitions and has been a popular figure in the surfing community.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals named Alana throughout history, showcasing the enduring popularity of this beautiful Gaelic name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Alana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Alana, please contact us.

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"Alana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 14, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/alana-meaning-and-history/.

"Alana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/alana-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 14 November, 2024

Alana first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/alana-meaning-and-history/.

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