Dana
Every Dana since 1880 — 246,842 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dana
Dana is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,027 in 2025 with 244 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 246,842 American babies have been named Dana — about 78% girls and 22% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1971, when 8,032 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Dana stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dana year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 244 | #1,027 | 25 | #4,157 |
| 2024 | 230 | #1,079 | 25 | #4,224 |
| 2023 | 264 | #976 | 21 | #4,777 |
| 2022 | 253 | #1,022 | 20 | #4,886 |
| 2021 | 231 | #1,081 | 25 | #4,139 |
| 2020 | 234 | #1,060 | 27 | #3,841 |
| 2019 | 278 | #953 | 33 | #3,436 |
| 2018 | 318 | #853 | 31 | #3,551 |
| 2017 | 280 | #943 | 30 | #3,604 |
| 2016 | 322 | #873 | 33 | #3,377 |
| 2015 | 326 | #857 | 37 | #3,096 |
| 2014 | 353 | #795 | 37 | #3,047 |
| 2013 | 373 | #733 | 29 | #3,599 |
| 2012 | 455 | #628 | 40 | #2,914 |
| 2011 | 469 | #617 | 40 | #2,913 |
| 2010 | 654 | #463 | 45 | #2,692 |
| 2009 | 574 | #528 | 57 | #2,295 |
| 2008 | 681 | #465 | 63 | #2,146 |
| 2007 | 728 | #441 | 74 | #1,915 |
| 2006 | 809 | #397 | 64 | #2,066 |
| 2005 | 791 | #397 | 74 | #1,778 |
| 2004 | 704 | #429 | 65 | #1,888 |
| 2003 | 800 | #379 | 78 | #1,615 |
| 2002 | 894 | #338 | 83 | #1,508 |
| 2001 | 945 | #329 | 99 | #1,317 |
| 2000 | 1,016 | #311 | 113 | #1,199 |
| 1995 | 1,757 | #170 | 186 | #785 |
| 1990 | 2,936 | #114 | 346 | #533 |
| 1985 | 3,348 | #82 | 482 | #375 |
| 1980 | 4,438 | #68 | 508 | #353 |
| 1975 | 4,619 | #62 | 858 | #239 |
| 1970 | 6,406 | #54 | 1,038 | #226 |
| 1965 | 4,722 | #78 | 1,216 | #206 |
| 1960 | 3,086 | #141 | 1,670 | #187 |
| 1955 | 1,568 | #202 | 1,571 | #176 |
| 1950 | 928 | #248 | 1,198 | #184 |
| 1945 | 645 | #268 | 340 | #323 |
| 1940 | 245 | #434 | 142 | #483 |
| 1935 | 128 | #566 | 120 | #528 |
| 1930 | 75 | #818 | 123 | #538 |
| 1925 | 78 | #843 | 116 | #578 |
| 1920 | 69 | #874 | 98 | #637 |
| 1915 | 37 | #1,125 | 89 | #610 |
| 1910 | 21 | #946 | 19 | #683 |
| 1905 | 7 | #1,571 | 15 | #621 |
| 1900 | 20 | #838 | 19 | #560 |
| 1895 | 9 | #1,141 | 12 | #613 |
| 1890 | 7 | #1,119 | 7 | #824 |
| 1885 | 6 | #946 | 9 | #656 |
| 1880 | — | — | 12 | #539 |
Famous people named Dana
- Dana Zátopková Athlete · 1922–2020
- Dana Elcar Actor · 1927–2005
- Dana International Singer · b. 1969
- Dana Ivey Actor · b. 1941
- Dana Delany Actor · b. 1956
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Dana in 2025?
Dana ranked #1,027 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 244 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dana?
246,842 babies have been named Dana in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dana most popular?
Dana peaked in 1971, when 8,032 newborns received the name.
Is Dana a boy or girl name?
Dana is used for both: about 78% of babies named Dana have been girls and 22% boys.
Is the name Dana rising or falling?
Dana is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Dana?
Well-known people named Dana include Dana Zátopková (athlete), Dana Elcar (actor), Dana International (singer).