Name meaning & originDana
/DAY-nah/
Dana is a Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Old Norse baby name pronounced /DAY-nah/. Depending on the culture, this name signifies a judge, a wise person, a gift, or a generous soul.
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Meaning of Dana
Depending on the culture, this name signifies a judge, a wise person, a gift, or a generous soul.
In Hebrew, Dana is the feminine form of Dan, meaning 'judge'. In Persian and Arabic, it translates to 'wise' or 'learned', while in Sanskrit, it refers to the virtue of 'generosity' or 'giving'. The name also has roots in Old Norse as 'The Dane' and in Celtic mythology, where Danu (or Dana) was the mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
- Origin
- Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- /DAY-nah/
Cultural background
It is widely used across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, frequently appearing as a masculine name in Arabic-speaking countries and a feminine name in the United States.
Variations & nicknames
- Dayna
- Danah
- Danya
- Danna
- Danette
Famous people named Dana
Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.
Dana Carvey
Comedic actor and Saturday Night Live cast member
Film · 20th–21st Century
Dana White
President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Sport · 21st Century
Dana International
Israeli pop singer and Eurovision Song Contest winner
Music · 20th–21st Century
Dana Scully
Iconic lead character in the television series The X-Files
Film · 20th–21st Century
Dana Elcar
American actor known for his role in MacGyver
Film · 20th Century
Dana Bash
American journalist and chief political correspondent
Politics · 21st Century
Frequently asked about Dana
- Is Dana a boy or girl name?
- Dana is a truly unisex name; it is predominantly male in Arabic and Persian cultures, while it is traditionally feminine in Hebrew and English-speaking contexts.
- What does Dana mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Dana (often spelled Danah) means 'a large, precious pearl'.
- Is Dana a common name?
- It is a globally recognized name that reached high popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 70s and remains consistently used in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
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