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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nana

Nana

♀ Girl

Pronounced NAH-nah /ˈnɑ.nɑ/Medium

Meaning: Variously from the Akan (Ghanaian), 'a queen mother; a grandparent/ancestor; a royal honorific', and Japanese, 'seven'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A queen mother; a grandmother: Nana is Akan/Japanese. Lyrical, homey, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'NAH-nah').
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Origin LowAkan, Japanese
MeaningVariously from the Akan (Ghanaian), 'a queen mother; a grandparent/ancestor; a royal honorific', and Japanese, 'seven'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#7045 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,530

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200018812025

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

Nana comes variously from the Akan (Ghanaian), 'a queen mother; a grandparent/ancestor; a royal honorific', and Japanese, 'seven' (routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for a girl (slug distinguished; said 'NAH-nah').

In the U.S. it appears in Ghanaian and Japanese families. Rare, a-queen-mother at the root, and homey.

Did you know? Nana is variously an Akan (Ghanaian) royal honorific ('a queen mother; a grandparent') and Japanese 'seven' — a lyrical, homey name, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'NAH-nah').
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Nana — unisex; routes layered

Variations

NanaaNanah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Nana…

Nani— a kin reduplicative girls' name
Nina— a sound-neighbor N- girls' name
Hana— a fellow -ana girls' name
Mana— a companion -ana girls' name

Explore names like Nana

By themeuncertainunisexjapaneseakan
By meaningRoyal / NobleHonor

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nana mean?

Nana is variously Akan 'a queen mother; a grandparent' and Japanese 'seven'; used for both sexes; here for a girl. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Nana?

It's said NAH-nah /ˈnɑ.nɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nana a boy or girl name?

Nana is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Nana?

Nana is a rare name in the U.S.

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