The story behind Shana
Anglicized variant of the Welsh name Siân (pet form Siana) - or a version of the French name Jeanne.
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): SH AE1 N AH0 / SH EY1 N AH0
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
Shana ranked #5213 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Shana
Glenda
Coined in the twentieth century from Welsh glân (“holy, fair”) and da (“good”). From English Glenda, from Welsh, from glân (“holy, fair”) and da (“good”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Rhonda
Modern coinage explained as Welsh rhon (“pike, lance”) + da (“good”)
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Saara
From Biblical Hebrew שָׂרָה (śārâ, literally “princess, lady”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Saba
From Latin Saba, from Ancient Greek Σάβα (Sába), from Hebrew שְׁבָא (Šəḇā).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Sacha
Borrowed from French Sacha. From Russian Са́ша (Sáša).
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Śailjā
Borrowed from Sanskrit शैलजा (śailajā).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Ā
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Shana
Bryn
From Welsh bryn (“hill, mound”), or Cumbric *brınn (“hill”) in the Greater Manchester place-name.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Caradog
From Welsh Caradog. Doublet of Caradoc, Caratacus, Cedric, Craddock, Cradock, McCarthy, and McCarty.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends G
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Ginewra
Borrowed from Welsh Gwenhwyfar, from English Guinevere.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Shana
Artur
Borrowed from English Arthur, from the name of the legendary king, from Middle English Arthure, from Medieval Latin Arthurus, probably from Welsh arth, from Proto-Celtic *artos.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Arwel
From Welsh, derivation uncertain. Possibly "prominent".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Bowen
From Welsh ap Owain (“son of Owen”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length