Sana

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAH-nah /ˈsɑː.nə/Low

Meaning: Radiance, brilliance, resplendenceLow

In 30 seconds: Sana is a beautiful name with independent roots in Arabic and Sanskrit, both meaning radiance or brightness. In Japanese, Sana can mean loving or honest. A short name with remarkable multicultural depth.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowArabic, Sanskrit, Japanese

MeaningRadiance, brilliance, resplendence

U.S. rank (2025)#1434 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births151 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,873

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Sana derives from the Arabic root meaning radiance or brilliance, and independently from the Sanskrit sana meaning eternal. In Japanese it is a feminine name with multiple kanji meanings. The convergence of these independent origins gives the name remarkable cross-cultural depth.

Sana is used across the Arab world, in South Asia, and in Japan. In the United States it appears among families from these varied backgrounds and is growing more broadly among parents who appreciate its simplicity and multicultural resonance.

Did you know? Sana is also a popular Japanese name where it can mean loving, honest, or beautiful depending on the kanji used — making it a name used in three major world cultures simultaneously.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Sana

Variations

SanaaSannaSanah

Nicknames

San

Famous Bearers

★Sana Minatozaki (b. 1996)
Japanese singer based in South Korea, a member of the K-pop girl group Twice

If you like Sana…

Sama— Arabic sky name of same brevity

Nour— Arabic light name of same simplicity

Reem— Arabic gazelle name of same elegant brevity

Farah— Arabic joy name of same two-syllable beauty

Explore names like Sana

By themearabic sanskrit two-syllable japanese multicultural radiant

By meaningLight

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Sana mean?

Sana means radiance or brilliance in Arabic and Sanskrit, and loving or honest in Japanese depending on the kanji.

Is Sana an Arabic name?

Yes, Sana is an Arabic name meaning radiance, and independently a Sanskrit and Japanese name with similar positive meanings.

How do you pronounce Sana?

Sana is pronounced SAH-nah with two syllables.

What names are similar to Sana?

Similar short names include Sama, Nour, Reem, and Farah.