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Santana

♂ Boy

Pronounced san-TAH-nuh /sænˈtɑː.nə/High

Meaning: Spanish place name and surname derived from Santa Ana (Saint Anne), composed of the Latin sanctus (holy, saint) and Ana (from Hebrew Hannah, grace); used as a given name evoking sanctity and spiritual graceHigh

In 30 seconds: Santana is a Spanish surname and place name meaning holy or from Saint Anne, rooted in Latin sanctus (holy). Made internationally iconic by guitarist Carlos Santana, it blends spiritual heritage with rock-and-roll cool.
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Origin HighSpanish, Latin
MeaningSpanish place name and surname derived from Santa Ana (Saint Anne), composed of the Latin sanctus (holy, saint) and Ana (from Hebrew Hannah, grace); used as a given name evoking sanctity and spiritual grace
U.S. rank (2025)#855 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births285 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,779

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202019152025

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

History & Origin

Santana derives from the Spanish Santa Ana, honoring Saint Anne (Hebrew Channah, meaning 'grace') with the Spanish contraction. The Latin sanctus (holy) underlies Santa, and Ana derives from Hebrew Hannah. The name is found across Spanish-speaking regions as a place name (Santa Ana in California, El Salvador) and as a surname, before crossing into given-name use.

Santana became widely used as a given name in the United States in the late 20th century, strongly associated with the rock musician Carlos Santana (born 1947). The name has a warm, rhythmic quality that fits both male and female usage. In American popular culture it also appeared as the character Santana Lopez in the TV series Glee, used for a female character.

Did you know? Carlos Santana's band Santana, which fused rock with Latin rhythms and jazz to create a new sound at Woodstock in 1969, introduced the name to global consciousness — creating a rare instance of a surname becoming a given name specifically through a musical act.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Santana — Spanish place name and saint-name etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SantaSantino

Nicknames

SantoTanaSant

Famous Bearers

  • ★Carlos Santana (1947–present)
    Mexican-American rock musician who fused Latin rhythms with rock and blues, becoming one of the most successful guitarists of his era.

If you like Santana…

Santiago— same Spanish saint-name structure and the saint element
Santos— directly related name meaning saints from the same Latin sanctus root
Antonio— fellow classic Spanish masculine saint-name with a musical association
Carlos— same Latin American cultural register and three-syllable flow

Frequently Asked

What does the name Santana mean?

Santana means holy or from Saint Anne, from Spanish Santa (saint, holy) and Ana (from Hebrew Hannah, grace).

How do you pronounce Santana?

It is said san-TAH-nuh, with three syllables.

Is Santana a boy or girl name?

Santana is used for both boys and girls in the U.S., though male use is more traditional in Latin cultures.

Is Santana popular?

Santana appears consistently on U.S. name charts, with both male and female usage, driven partly by the fame of musician Carlos Santana.