Find out how popular the first name Bana has been for the last 34 years (from 1990 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bana by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Bana is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Bana.

The history of the first name Bana

The given name Bana has its origins in various cultures and languages, with a rich history spanning across different regions and time periods. One of the earliest known references to this name can be traced back to Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. In Sanskrit, the word "bana" is associated with concepts like arrow, dart, or projectile, possibly referring to someone with sharp wit or a forceful personality.

In Hindi, a language derived from Sanskrit, the name Bana is often used as a shortened form of the name Banabhatta, a renowned Sanskrit poet and writer from the 7th century CE. His works, such as the Kadambari and Harsha-Charita, are considered masterpieces of Sanskrit literature.

The name Bana also has roots in the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. Among the Igbo people, it is believed to mean "child born on the road" or "child born during a journey." This could reflect the nomadic lifestyle and travels of certain Igbo communities in the past.

In ancient Greek mythology, Bana was the name of one of the Naiads, minor deities associated with freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes. This connection to nature and water sources may have influenced the name's usage in certain regions.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Bana, including:

1. Bana al-Mulk (1049-1115 CE), an Arabic poet and writer from Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate era.
2. Bana Singh (1949-1987), an Indian army officer who received the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration, for his bravery during the Siachen Glacier conflict.
3. Bana the Goliard (12th century CE), a medieval Latin poet and wandering scholar associated with the Goliardic movement in Europe.
4. Bana Harbili (1951-2022), an influential Kurdish writer and activist who fought for the rights of the Kurdish people in Turkey.
5. Bana Alabed (born 2009), a Syrian author and peace activist who gained global recognition for her tweets documenting life during the Syrian Civil War as a child in Aleppo.

While the name Bana has its roots in diverse cultural backgrounds, it has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be used in various parts of the world, carrying with it a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance.

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 Bana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!