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

Popularity of Dianna by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 79 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Dianna.

The history of the first name Dianna

The name Dianna has its origins in the ancient Roman civilization. It is derived from the Latin name Diana, which was the name of the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature. Diana was one of the most widely worshipped deities in ancient Rome, and her name was also associated with virginity, childbirth, and fertility.

The name Dianna is believed to have first appeared in written records during the classical Roman period, around the 1st century AD. It was commonly used as a feminine given name among Roman families, particularly those with ties to the cult of Diana or living in areas where the goddess was revered.

In the 4th century AD, with the rise of Christianity, the name Dianna fell out of favor for a period, as it was associated with pagan beliefs. However, it experienced a resurgence during the Renaissance era, when there was a renewed interest in classical literature and mythology.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dianna in history is from the 1st century AD, when a Roman woman named Dianna Plautilla was the wife of the Roman emperor Caracalla. Another notable figure was Dianna de Poitiers, a famous French Renaissance figure who lived from 1499 to 1566 and was the mistress of King Henry II of France.

In the 16th century, the Italian Renaissance painter Titian depicted the goddess Diana in several of his paintings, further popularizing the name. One famous painting from 1556 is titled "Diana and Actaeon," which depicts the mythological story of Diana punishing the hunter Actaeon for accidentally stumbling upon her while she was bathing.

In the 17th century, the English poet and playwright William Shakespeare used the name Dianna in his play "All's Well That Ends Well," which was written around 1603. The character Dianna was a young widow who played a significant role in the plot.

Another notable figure with the name Dianna was Dianna Russell, a British actress and author who lived from 1912 to 1986. She was known for her roles in films such as "The Citadel" and "The Prime Minister."

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

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

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