Nana
Nana is a name with multiple cultural origins: Greek, Japanese, Georgian, Akan.
- Greek
- Japanese
- Georgian
- Akan
Meaning & Origin of Nana
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Nana is a name with multiple cultural origins: Greek, Japanese, Georgian, Akan.
Origin data from Behind the Name .
Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)
- Greek
- Japanese
- Georgian
- Akan
The Story of Nana
As a girl name
The earliest SSA record of Nana as a girl name dates back to 1881, when 9 babies received it. 2000 was its biggest year on record, with 47 newborns named Nana — #2,974 in the national rankings. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #7,538 among girl names with 14 births, falling sharply (-19%). In total, more than 3K Nanas have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1880s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
The earliest SSA record of Nana as a boy name dates back to 1972, when 6 babies received it. 2014 was its biggest year on record, with 32 newborns named Nana — #3,370 in the national rankings. The 2000s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 30% of all recorded Nanas. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #6,923 among boy names with 11 births, falling sharply (-33%). In total, more than 873 Nanas have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1970s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Variants & Related Forms of Nana
Foreign forms, alternate spellings, and nicknames that share roots with Nana. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Names that sound like Nana
Phonetically similar names — useful when Nana is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nana
What does the name Nana mean?
What is the origin of the name Nana?
How popular is Nana in 2026?
When was Nana most popular?
In which U.S. states is Nana most popular?
Is Nana a unisex name?
What names go well with Nana?
What are nicknames or variants of Nana?
About the name Nana
Nana is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1881 and has accumulated 3K births in the dataset. Nana's peak popularity came in 2000 when it ranked #582. Use the chart and map above to compare Nana's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2000 →
- Names of the 2000s →
- Names starting with "N" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.