Name meaning & stats
Dana
Dana means “from Denmark (debated)”. 240,747 US babies since 1940, peak 1971. Notable Danas are 1.6× over-represented as journalists.
What it means
“from Denmark (debated)”
Debated
Originally a surname.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1971
240,747 US babies were named Dana between 1940 and 2025.
Where Danas end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.0× | High · 26 people |
| Journalist | 1.6× | Medium · 14 people |
| Singer | 1.1× | Medium · 13 people |
| Writer | 0.7× | Medium · 11 people |
Among notable women who are journalists, Danas show up 1.6× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Dana has a surprise career: 1.8×
Spelling family
The most common spelling: 84% of the family
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1971)