The story behind Alana
Feminine form of Alan (from Alan + -a). In regular use since the 20th century.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Hawaiian entry
alana (“awakening”); the modern usage is reinforced by English Alana.
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): AA0 L AE1 N AH0
Regional pronunciation variants
- Hawaiian: /aˈla.na/
- Hawaiian: [əˈlɐ.nə]
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Alana ranked #140 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Alana
Alanna
A feminine form of Alan; variant spelling of Alana. Compare also Alannah.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anuhea
anuhea (“cool soft fragrance”), from anu (“coolness”) + hea (“mist”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ikaika
ikaika (“strong”)
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kalena
ka (“the”) + lena (“yellow”).(Yellow was a royal color.) Later also used as a phonetic rendering of the English Karen.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kalia
kalia (“waited for”), also the name of a native tree of the linden family.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kaliʻa
From ka (“the”) + liʻa (“desire”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Alana
Harvey
From Haerviu, name of a Breton saint, from Old Breton hoiarn (“iron”) + viu (“blazing”). Cognate with modern Breton Haerviu. In Ireland, used as an anglicisation of Irish Ó…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Hauʻoli
From hauʻoli (“happiness”).
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Hiʻiaka
Borrowed from Hawaiian Hiʻiaka.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Alana
Brice
A male given name from the Celtic languages, a variant of Bryce.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Bryce
A male given name from the Celtic languages, variant of Brice.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Galahad
From Old French Galahad, of obscure origin and meaning. Suggestions include Old Welsh, or biblical Gilead.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length