The name Deana is derived from the Greek name Diana, which was the name of the ancient Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature. Diana was one of the most widely venerated deities in ancient Roman religion and her name comes from the Indo-European root "dey-" meaning "to shine".

The name Deana first appeared as a diminutive or pet form of Diana, likely emerging during the late Roman period or early Middle Ages. It was used as a given name throughout parts of Europe, particularly in Italy and the Iberian Peninsula, where the worship of Diana had been widespread during Roman times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Deana can be found in a 12th-century Spanish manuscript, where it is mentioned as the name of a noble woman. During the Renaissance period, the name gained popularity in Italy, with notable figures such as Deana de' Medici (1454-1515), a member of the influential Medici family of Florence.

In the 16th century, the name Deana was also adopted by English speakers, likely due to the influence of Renaissance humanism and the revival of interest in classical Greek and Roman culture. One of the earliest recorded English bearers of the name was Deana Fountain (c. 1580-1640), an English poet and writer.

Over the centuries, the name Deana has been borne by various notable individuals, including Deana Lawson (b. 1979), an American photographer known for her portraits of Black life; Deana Carter (b. 1966), an American country music singer-songwriter; and Deana Uppal (b. 1993), an Indian fashion model and actress.

Other notable bearers of the name Deana throughout history include Deana Kleyn (1909-1999), a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II; Deana Martin (1948-2016), an American singer and actress, and daughter of the famous entertainer Dean Martin; and Deana Dorfer (b. 1965), an Austrian former professional tennis player.