Vanna

♀ Girl

Pronounced VAN-ah /ˈvæn.ɑ/High

Meaning: Short form of Giovanna or Ivana — feminine forms of John, 'God is gracious'; also Cambodian vanna, 'golden'Medium

In 30 seconds: Giovanna, distilled to a smile: Vanna shortens the Italian and Slavic Johns — 'God is gracious' — and means 'golden' in Khmer. Wheel-of-Fortune famous, warm, and bright.

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Origin MediumItalian, Slavic

MeaningShort form of Giovanna or Ivana — feminine forms of John, 'God is gracious'; also Cambodian vanna, 'golden'

U.S. rank (2025)#2930 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births58 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1986

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,009

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

Vanna is a short form of Giovanna (the Italian Joanna) or Ivana — feminines of John, 'God is gracious' — and independently a Cambodian name meaning 'golden'. Dante's Giovanna was called Vanna; Vanna White made it an American household name.

It registers thinly today. Gracious-or-golden at the root, friendly, and retro-bright.

Did you know? Vanna White has turned letters on Wheel of Fortune since 1982 — and in Cambodia, vanna means 'golden', a fitting glow for TV's most famous letter-turner's name.

Overall data confidence 72%

Behind the Name — Vanna — etymology

Variations

GiovannaIvanaVana

Nicknames

Van

Famous Bearers

★Vanna White (1957–present)
American TV personality, longtime Wheel of Fortune co-host.

If you like Vanna…

Giovanna— the Italian name it shortens

Ivana— the Slavic sister source

Lana— a fellow warm two-syllable retro pick

Donna— the companion Italian-toned classic

Explore names like Vanna

By themeitalian nickname-name retro

By meaningGod / Divine Grace Gold

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Vanna mean?

Vanna is a short form of Giovanna/Ivana, 'God is gracious'; in Khmer it means 'golden'.

How do you pronounce Vanna?

It's said VAN-ah /ˈvæn.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Vanna a boy or girl name?

Vanna is a girl's name in American use.

How popular is Vanna?

Vanna is a rare name in the U.S.