Diana

♀ Girl

Pronounced dy-AN-uh /daɪˈæn.ə/High

Meaning: Divine; heavenly; luminous; from Latin Diviana (of the divine), related to deus (god) and dies (day)High

In 30 seconds: The Roman goddess of the moon, the hunt, and childbirth — her name means 'divine' or 'luminous.' Eternally associated with moonlit woods, independence, and grace. Princess Diana gave it 20th-century majesty.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningDivine; heavenly; luminous; from Latin Diviana (of the divine), related to deus (god) and dies (day)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 357,575

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Diana is derived from Latin Diviana or an older form related to deus ('god') and dies ('day'), with the core meaning of 'divine' or 'heavenly.' In Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the moon, the hunt, and wild animals, equivalent to the Greek Artemis. The name was widely used across the Roman Empire and entered Christian Europe through literary tradition.

Diana has been used as a given name in Europe since at least the Renaissance, when classical mythology was fashionable. In the United States it was a top-50 name from the 1940s through the 1970s. The fame of Princess Diana of Wales (Diana Spencer, 1961–1997) cemented its image as a name of grace and humanitarian warmth. It remains a widely respected classic.

Did you know? Princess Diana (1961–1997) was so universally beloved that her death prompted one of the largest public outpourings of grief in modern history — and she ensured the name Diana would remain iconic for decades.

Variations

DianeDiannaDiana

Nicknames

DiDee

Famous Bearers

★Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997)
British royal and global humanitarian icon, known as 'The People's Princess.'
★Diana Ross (b. 1944)
American singer and actress, founder of The Supremes and iconic Motown artist.

If you like Diana…

Victoria— Roman goddess name equally associated with royalty and classical grace

Aurora— Latin goddess name with the same luminous, divine quality

Athena— Greek goddess name in the same divine-feminine category

Frequently Asked

What does the name Diana mean?

Diana means 'divine' or 'heavenly,' from Latin. Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon, the hunt, and childbirth.

How do you pronounce Diana?

Diana is pronounced dy-AN-uh (/daɪˈæn.ə/) — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Diana a boy or girl name?

Diana is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Diana?

Diana was a top-50 U.S. girls' name from the 1940s through the 1970s. It remains a consistent top-200 name today.