Sanaa

♀ Girl

Pronounced suh-NAH /səˈnɑː/High

Meaning: radiance, brilliance, loftinessHigh

In 30 seconds: Sanaa is a beautiful Arabic name meaning radiance, brilliance, or loftiness. A simple powerful two-syllable name widely used across the Arab world.

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Origin HighArabic

Meaningradiance, brilliance, loftiness

U.S. rank (2025)#2116 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births89 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,144

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

Sanaa derives from Arabic sanaa meaning radiance, brilliance, and loftiness.

Sanaa is popular across the Arab world. In the US it gained visibility through actress Sanaa Lathan.

Did you know? The holy city of Sana'a, capital of Yemen, shares its name with this feminine name — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Overall data confidence 90%

Wehr, Arabic-English Dictionary — reference for SanaaBehind the Name: Sanaa — name etymology reference

Variations

SanaSaniya

Nicknames

San

Famous Bearers

★Sanaa Lathan (1971–present)
American actress known for Love & Basketball (2000), Brown Sugar and a Tony-nominated Broadway run in A Raisin in the Sun.

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Frequently Asked

What does Sanaa mean?

Sanaa means radiance, brilliance, and loftiness in Arabic.

How do you pronounce Sanaa?

Sanaa is pronounced suh-NAH (/səˈnɑː/), with two syllables.

Is Sanaa a girl's name?

Yes, Sanaa is used as a feminine name across the Arab world and Muslim communities.

How popular is the name Sanaa?

Sanaa is popular across the Arab world and gained US visibility through actress Sanaa Lathan.