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Home › Baby Names Directory › Alana

Alana

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-LAH-nuh /əˈlɑː.nə/High

Meaning: Harmony or precious — feminine form of Alan, from Breton/Celtic elements, or from Hawaiian/Arabic roots all carrying meanings of beauty and preciousnessMedium

In 30 seconds: The feminine form of Alan, Alana carries multiple possible meanings — 'harmony' or 'precious' from Celtic roots — and a lyrical three-syllable sound that crosses cultures beautifully.
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Origin MediumCeltic, Arabic, Hawaiian
MeaningHarmony or precious — feminine form of Alan, from Breton/Celtic elements, or from Hawaiian/Arabic roots all carrying meanings of beauty and preciousness
U.S. rank (2025)#140 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births2,085 girls (0.13% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 68,241

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200719302025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Alana is primarily understood as the feminine form of Alan, the Breton Celtic name of uncertain origin (possibly 'harmony' or 'little rock'). It may also draw from the Irish/Scottish Gaelic álainn (beautiful, lovely). In Arabic, alana carries meanings of preciousness or attraction.

Alana has been used as a given name in the United States since at least the mid-20th century. It grew in popularity through the late 20th and early 21st centuries, entering the U.S. top 200 girls' names. It is used across multiple cultural communities and has broad cross-cultural appeal.

Did you know? Alana is one of those rare names that can be claimed authentically by multiple unrelated naming traditions simultaneously: Celtic/Breton (feminine form of Alan), Hawaiian (variant of Alani, meaning orange tree), and Arabic (alana, meaning 'precious'). Each tradition gives it independent poetic weight.

Variations

AlannaAlaynaAlannah

Nicknames

AliLanaAna

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alana Haim (1991-)
    American musician of the band Haim and actress
  • ★Alana de la Garza (1976-)
    American actress known for Law & Order and FBI
  • ★Alana Blanchard (1990-)
    American professional surfer
  • ★Alana Stewart (1945-)
    American actress and television host

If you like Alana…

Alani— Hawaiian variant sharing Alana's lyrical three-syllable sound
Layla— three-syllable girls' name with the same soft, melodic quality
Elena— three-syllable classic with the same flowing feminine sound
Diana— classical girls' name with the same three-syllable elegance

Explore names like Alana

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alana mean?

Alana is the feminine form of Alan, with possible meanings including 'harmony' or 'little rock' from Breton/Celtic roots, or 'precious' from Arabic.

How do you pronounce Alana?

Alana is pronounced ah-LAH-nuh /əˈlɑː.nə/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Alana a boy or girl name?

Alana is a girls' name, the feminine form of Alan.

How popular is Alana?

Alana has been in the U.S. top 200 girls' names since the early 2000s and remains steadily popular.

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