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Savanna

♀ Girl

Pronounced suh-VAN-uh /səˈvæn.ə/High

Meaning: Treeless plain; from Spanish sabana, borrowed from Taíno (indigenous Caribbean) zabana (grassland)High

In 30 seconds: A nature name meaning 'treeless plain,' drawn from Spanish sabana, itself borrowed from the Taíno language of the Caribbean. One of the few common given names with an indigenous American linguistic root.

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Origin HighSpanish, Taíno

MeaningTreeless plain; from Spanish sabana, borrowed from Taíno (indigenous Caribbean) zabana (grassland)

U.S. rank (2024)#1007 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births254 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 32,745

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

Savanna/Savannah derives from Spanish sabana, borrowed from the Taíno word zabana (treeless plain, flat grassland). Taíno was the indigenous language of the Caribbean before European contact. The city of Savannah, Georgia (founded 1733) popularized the name in the American South.

Savannah and Savanna entered U.S. baby-name charts in the 1980s and climbed steadily. Savannah (double -h) has been a fixture of the charts for girls. Savanna (single -h) is the less common spelling. It ranked #1007 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? The word 'savanna' entered English from Taíno via Spanish — making Savanna one of the very few popular English given names whose ultimate source is an indigenous Caribbean language.

Overall data confidence 91%

Behind the Name — Savannah — Taíno/Spanish etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SavannahSavana

Nicknames

SavVannaSavvy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Savanna…

Savannah— the standard double-h spelling of the same name

Sahara— desert/nature name with the same expansive, warm geographical feel

Sierra— Spanish nature name meaning mountain range, in the same geographical category

Serena— three-syllable S-name with the same flowing elegance

Sienna— Italian city/color name with similar three-syllable warmth

Explore names like Savanna

By themespanish nature place-name southern

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Savanna mean?

Savanna means 'treeless plain,' from Taíno zabana via Spanish sabana. It is one of the few popular English names with an indigenous Caribbean linguistic root.

How do you pronounce Savanna?

It's said suh-VAN-uh — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Savanna a boy or girl name?

Savanna is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Savanna?

Savanna ranked #1007 for U.S. girls in 2024.