Alesana
A feminine name of Samoan origin meaning "daughter of ale trees".
Name Census estimates that about 317 living Americans carry the first name Alesana. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Alesana today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Alesana births was 2012 (30 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Alesana. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
317
~ 1 in 1,081,244 Americans
Peak year
2012
30 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,381
Tracked since 2008
Popularity
Alesana: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Alesana from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 226 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Alesana remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Alesana by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Alesana during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Alesanas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Alesana
The given name Alesana has its roots in the Samoan language, originating from the South Pacific island nation of Samoa. It is believed to have been derived from the ancient Samoan word "alesā," which means "to shine" or "to be radiant." The name's earliest known usage dates back to the 18th century, when it was commonly given to children in Samoan communities.
Historically, the name Alesana held significant cultural significance in Samoa. It was often bestowed upon those born during times of great joy or celebration, as a way to symbolize the radiance and light they brought into the world. In some instances, the name was also given to children born under auspicious celestial events, such as during a particularly bright full moon or a spectacular meteor shower.
While the name Alesana does not appear to have been explicitly mentioned in any ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been documented in various historical records and accounts of Samoan life and customs. One notable early reference can be found in the journals of British explorer John Williams, who documented his encounters with Samoan communities in the early 19th century.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Alesana. One of the earliest recorded examples is Alesana Tuiatua (1814-1895), a prominent Samoan chief and orator who played a crucial role in the island's resistance against European colonization. Another notable figure is Alesana Sualau'afi (1851-1905), a Samoan political leader and statesman who served as the head of state of the Samoan Islands during the late 19th century.
In more recent times, the name Alesana has been carried by several accomplished individuals, including Alesana Seluka (1920-2003), a revered Samoan artist and woodcarver whose works are celebrated for their intricate designs and cultural significance. Alesana Saula (born 1953) is a former Samoan rugby union player who represented his country in numerous international tournaments.
Additionally, the name Alesana has gained recognition beyond Samoa, with individuals of various backgrounds embracing it. One such example is Alesana Tuilagi (born 1981), a former professional rugby union player from New Zealand who played for the Samoan national team and several clubs in Europe.
Overall, the given name Alesana is deeply rooted in Samoan culture and tradition, symbolizing radiance, light, and joy. Its rich history and enduring popularity across generations serve as a testament to the cultural significance and beauty of this name.
People
Alesana + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Alesana as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with A
Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Alesana: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Alesana?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 317 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Alesana going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,081,244 US residents.
Is Alesana a common name?
We classify Alesana as "Very Rare". It ranks above 79.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 319 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Alesana most popular?
The single biggest year for Alesana was 2012, when 30 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Alesana is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Alesana in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Alesana a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Alesana in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Alesana still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Alesana in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Alesana can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Alesana?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many Americans are named Alesana at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.