Zhana
A feminine name of Russian origin meaning "life" or "soul".
Name Census estimates that about 155 living Americans carry the first name Zhana. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zhana today is around 28 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zhana births was 1994 (48 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zhana. 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
155
~ 1 in 2,211,318 Americans
Peak year
1994
48 babies that year
Average age
28
years old
2016 SSA rank
#18,842
Tracked since 1993
Popularity
Zhana: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zhana from the 1990s through to the 2010s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 121 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zhana 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 Zhana during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Zhanas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Zhana
The name Zhana is believed to have its origins in the Slavic languages, particularly in the Balkan region. It is a feminine form derived from the Slavic root "zhan," which is associated with concepts of life, growth, and vitality.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zhana can be traced back to the 9th century, when it appeared in ancient Bulgarian manuscripts and chronicles. These early records suggest that the name was popular among the Slavic populations of the Balkan Peninsula during that time period.
In the medieval era, the name Zhana gained prominence in the region, particularly among the noble and ruling classes. Historical accounts mention several notable figures bearing this name, including Zhana of Hungary (1207-1235), a Hungarian princess who married the Byzantine Emperor Theodore I Laskaris.
Another influential figure was Zhana of Navarre (1273-1305), who was the Queen of France and Navarre during the late 13th century. Her reign was marked by her efforts to resolve conflicts between the French monarchy and the Church.
In the 15th century, Zhana d'Arc (1412-1431), better known as Joan of Arc, was a French heroine who played a pivotal role in the Hundred Years' War. Her bravery and conviction led to her martyrdom, and she was later canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
During the Renaissance period, Zhana Grisogono (1470-1537) was a renowned Croatian scholar and humanist. She was highly respected for her knowledge of classical literature and her contributions to the intellectual discourse of the time.
In more recent history, Zhana Todorova (1906-1995) was a Bulgarian artist and sculptor who gained recognition for her unique style and innovative techniques. Her works are celebrated for their expressive and powerful representations of the human form.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Zhana. The name's Slavic roots and its association with concepts of life and vitality have contributed to its enduring popularity across the Balkan region and beyond.
People
Zhana + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zhana as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zhana: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zhana?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 155 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zhana 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 2,211,318 US residents.
Is Zhana a common name?
We classify Zhana as "Very Rare". It ranks above 70.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 159 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zhana most popular?
The single biggest year for Zhana was 1994, when 48 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zhana is about 28 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Zhana a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zhana 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.
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.