The first name Dana

In 2025, 39 girls were named Dana, making it the 894th most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1997, with 201 births (#210).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Dana with other names.

In 2025, 244 girls born in the United States were named Dana, the 1,027th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1971, when 6,934 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Dana Delany
  American actress, born 1956
• Dana Andrews
  American actor (1909–1992)
• Dana White
  American businessman and president of UFC (born 1969)
• Dana Zátopková
  Czech javelin thrower, 1922–2020
• Dana Snyder
  American actor and comedian, born 1973
• Dana Scott
  American mathematician and computer scientist, born 1932
• Dana Gould
  American stand-up comedian, born 1964
• Dana Hill
  American actress (1964–1996)
• Dana Vollmer
  American swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, world champion, world record-holder, born 1987
• Dana Carvey
  American comedian, born 1955
• Dana Wynter
  German-British actress (1931–2011)
• Dana Plato
  American actress (1964–1999)

What does the name Dana mean?

Of uncertain origin. Possibly from Dawnay, or else an altered form of Dan or Daniel.

How popular is the name Dana?

In 2025, 39 girls born in England and Wales were named Dana, ranking 894th. Its peak was 1997, with 201 births.

Is Dana a boy's or a girl's name?

Both. Of the 246,842 US babies named Dana since 1880, 78% were girls and 22% boys.

When was Dana most popular?

1971 in the United States, when 6,934 babies were named Dana, its highest rank at 44th.

How do you pronounce Dana?

Dana is /ˈdeɪ.nə/, 2 syllables.

Is Dana also a surname?

Yes. Dana is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.