Diana first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Diana

A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "divine" or "heavenly".

Popularity of Diana by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Diana is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Diana being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,307 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Diana.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 1,307
2022 0 1,313
2021 0 1,329
2020 0 1,231
2019 0 1,435
2018 0 1,608
2017 0 1,367
2016 0 1,183
2015 0 1,090
2014 0 1,092
2013 0 1,177
2012 0 1,285
2011 0 1,544
2010 0 1,621
2009 0 1,943
2008 9 2,444
2007 5 3,182
2006 0 2,841
2005 6 3,156
2004 13 3,554
2003 15 3,149
2002 11 2,905
2001 0 3,198
2000 9 3,166
1999 12 3,328
1998 9 3,853
1997 11 3,584
1996 6 2,950
1995 15 3,167
1994 38 3,366
1993 33 3,389
1992 27 3,250
1991 32 3,343
1990 29 3,544
1989 46 3,686
1988 28 3,488
1987 36 3,354
1986 33 3,669
1985 35 3,685
1984 42 3,964
1983 30 4,038
1982 33 4,429
1981 23 3,971
1980 15 2,615
1979 12 2,781
1978 19 2,884
1977 16 2,845
1976 14 2,760
1975 17 2,912
1974 20 3,513

The history of the first name Diana

The name Diana is derived from the ancient Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature, known as Diana. The name's origins can be traced back to the Latin word "dius," meaning "heavenly" or "divine." This name has been popular across various cultures and time periods.

The earliest recorded use of the name Diana can be found in ancient Roman literature and mythology. In Ovid's Metamorphoses, Diana is depicted as a virgin goddess who values her independence and roams the forests with a band of nymphs. The cult of Diana was widely celebrated in ancient Rome, and her temple stood on the Aventine Hill.

One of the most famous historical figures named Diana was Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997). Her compassion, humanitarian efforts, and tragic death made her an iconic figure in modern history. She used her public platform to raise awareness about various causes, such as HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and landmines.

Another notable Diana was Diana, the Roman Empress (c. 161-217 CE), who was the wife of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. She played a significant role in the imperial court and was revered for her beauty and intelligence.

In Renaissance literature, Diana was a popular name and character. William Shakespeare featured Diana in his play "All's Well That Ends Well," portraying her as a virtuous and chaste character.

During the Renaissance period, Diana of Poitiers (1499-1566), a French noblewoman and mistress of King Henry II of France, was renowned for her beauty, intelligence, and influence at the French court.

In the 20th century, Diana Rigg (born 1938) gained fame as a British actress known for her roles in shows like "The Avengers" and "Game of Thrones." She received numerous accolades for her performances throughout her career.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Diana throughout history, reflecting its enduring popularity and association with strength, beauty, and independent spirit.

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

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

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"Diana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 2, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/diana-meaning-and-history/.

"Diana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/diana-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 November, 2024

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

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