Lane

How to say it

/leɪn/

What it means

English word and surname, from Old English lanu ('a narrow path between hedges'). Originally a place-based surname; the first-name usage is modern American and unisex.

Lane is an English word and surname from the Old English lanu ('a narrow path between hedges or fields'). The surname referred to someone living on or near a lane. Diane Lane the actress and Lois Lane (Clark Kent's reporter colleague in Superman, since 1938) anchor the surname. As a first name Lane is modern American and increasingly unisex: rare before 2000, then climbing. It entered the US top 500 in 2014. Single syllable, no shorter form.

Heads-up notes

• Pop culture

  Lois Lane (Superman, 1938) and Diane Lane (the actress) anchor the surname usage; the first-name use is mostly modern American without a single dominant anchor.

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.

• Lois Lane Daily Planet reporter and Clark Kent's love interest in Superman, since 1938 (Lane as surname)
• Diane Lane American actress, Unfaithful (Lane as surname)

Spelling variants

• Layne
• Laine

Names with the same feeling

• Kai Sea, or 'keeper of the keys'
• Rhys Ardor, enthusiasm
• Dean Valley, or 'dean' (administrative head)
• Knox Round hill
• Jude Praised

See Lane from another angle