Sana
Meaningradiance, brilliance · Arabic
Sana is an Arabic and Japanese girl name meaning “radiance, brilliance”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- AnagramShuffle the letters of Sana and you get Anas. Same letters, different name.
- GenerationSana is having its moment right now. Most Sanas are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Sana would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 10,650 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistorySana first shows up in US birth records in 1923, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 102 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Sanas? Head to Virginia, where it's the #606 girl name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million girls, 1923–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Sana
Sana is a girl name of Arabic and Japanese origin meaning “radiance, brilliance”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic namesJapanese names
Other spellings of Sana
More Arabic girl names
- Girl name: Eleanor · possibly light
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Girl name: Aaliyah · exalted
- Girl name: Amira · princess
- Girl name: Lilly · lily flower
- Girl name: Leila · night
- Girl name: Aliyah · ascent
Questions about the name Sana
What does the name Sana mean?
Sana means “radiance, brilliance” and comes from Arabic. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Sanaa (“radiance, brilliance”).
What is the origin of the name Sana?
Sana is Arabic and Japanese in origin. Names often travel between languages and cultures, which is why Sana turns up in more than one tradition. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Sana a boy or girl name?
Sana is a girl name. In 2025, 151 US girls were named Sana.
How popular is the name Sana?
Sana ranked #1,427 for US girls in 2025, given to 151 babies. Its best year was 2022, when it reached #1,309. Over the last five years it has climbed 596 places.
What names are similar to Sana?
If you like Sana, you might also like Sanaa. Sanaa is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Sana?
Sana is an Arabic and Japanese girl name meaning “radiance, brilliance”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.