How to say it
a · LAN · a
əˈlɑn.ə
Feminine
Alana
Beautiful, harmony
What it means
Feminine form of Alan, possibly from Celtic alyn ('harmony') or Irish ailín ('little rock'). Possibly also a Hawaiian word meaning 'offering.' Alana de la Garza (Law & Order) and Alana Haim (the band Haim) are modern English-language anchors.
Alana is the feminine form of Alan, an Irish (or possibly Brittonic) name with disputed roots. Candidate meanings include 'harmony' (from a Celtic root alyn), 'little rock' (from Irish ailín), and 'noble' or 'precious child' (Old Breton). Confusingly, alana also exists as a Hawaiian word meaning 'offering', a separate root that converged in modern English usage. Alana Haim (Haim the rock band, Licorice Pizza, 2021) and Alana de la Garza (Law & Order) are the modern English-language anchors. The name has been in the US top 300 since the 1990s. Common short: Lana (which is a separate Russian-origin name in its own right).
How to spell Alana
The standard spelling is Alana. Common variants include Alanna, Alaina, but Alana is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #140 in 2025, currently #140 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
uh-LAH-na, three syllables, stress on the second. Not AL-uh-na.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Alana Haim American musician, the eldest Haim sister; star of Licorice Pizza
- Alana de la Garza American actress, Law & Order and FBI
Spelling variants
- Alanna
- Alaina
Names with the same feeling
See Alana from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Alana mean?
- Feminine form of Alan, possibly from Celtic alyn ('harmony') or Irish ailín ('little rock'). Possibly also a Hawaiian word meaning 'offering.' Alana de la Garza (Law & Order) and Alana Haim (the band Haim) are modern English-language anchors.
- What does Alana mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Alana means "Beautiful, harmony." Alana is the feminine form of Alan, an Irish (or possibly Brittonic) name with disputed roots. Candidate meanings include 'harmony' (from a Celtic root alyn), 'little rock' (from Irish ailín), and 'noble' or 'precious child' (Old Breton). Confusingly, alana also exists as a Hawaiian word meaning 'offering', a separate root that converged in modern English usage. Alana Haim (Haim the rock band, Licorice Pizza, 2021) and Alana de la Garza (Law & Order) are the modern English-language anchors. The name has been in the US top 300 since the 1990s. Common short: Lana (which is a separate Russian-origin name in its own right).
- How do you pronounce Alana?
- Alana is pronounced əˈlɑn.ə. Say it as a-LAN-a, with the stress on the "lan" syllable.
- How do you spell Alana?
- The standard spelling is Alana. Common spelling variants include Alanna, Alaina.
- Is Alana a boy or girl name?
- Alana is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Alana?
- Alana ranked #140 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.