Luana is a unique and beautiful feminine given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "luna," which means "moon." Thus, Luana can be interpreted as "little moon" or "one who is like the moon."
The name Luana has been used throughout history, particularly in South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina. In Brazil, it gained popularity due to its musical significance – it was the title of a song composed by Carlos Gomes in his opera "Salamé." The opera itself is based on the life of the Brazilian poet Cruz e Sousa.
Despite its Latin roots, Luana is not widely recognized as a traditional Latin name. Instead, it has been adopted and popularized in various cultures around the world. Today, Luana can be found among people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, making it a global name with universal appeal.
In some cases, Luana may also be mistaken for a Hawaiian or Native American name due to its association with the word "luna," which means "moon" in both Hawaiian and several Native American languages. However, Luana's true origin lies in Latin and South American culture.
Overall, Luana is an attractive and distinctive given name that carries a poetic and celestial meaning. Its unique origins and global popularity make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a memorable and meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Luana has a fascinating history of usage in the United States, as shown by these annual birth statistics from 1911 to 2023.
In the early years, Luana was not particularly popular, with fewer than 5 births each year between 1911 and 1914. However, it began to gain traction in the mid-1910s, with 12 births recorded in 1915 and 20 births in 1916.
The popularity of Luana continued to grow throughout the 1920s, reaching a peak of 36 births in 1932. The name maintained this level of popularity until World War II, with around 30-40 births each year during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
The post-war era saw Luana's popularity soar even further. In 1946, there were a remarkable 91 births, and this number more than doubled to 164 in 1947 – the highest number of Luana births recorded in any single year in U.S. history.
The late 1940s and early 1950s saw a decline in popularity for Luana, with fewer than 80 births each year between 1949 and 1953. However, it regained some traction in the mid-1950s, with around 60-70 births annually.
The late 1950s and early 1960s saw another spike in popularity for Luana, with over 90 births each year between 1960 and 1962. Unfortunately, this trend did not continue, and the number of annual Luana births steadily declined throughout the remainder of the century.
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw another brief period of popularity for Luana, with around 30 births each year between 1976 and 1982. However, this trend did not last long, and by the mid-1980s, there were fewer than 25 Luana births per year.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw another brief spike in popularity for Luana, with around 20 births each year between 1988 and 1993. However, this trend did not last long, and by the mid-1990s, there were fewer than 25 Luana births per year once again.
The early 2000s saw a resurgence in popularity for Luana, with over 30 births each year between 2000 and 2004. This trend continued throughout the decade, with around 40-50 births recorded annually from 2005 to 2013.
The past ten years have seen a steady decline in popularity for Luana, with fewer than 50 births each year since 2014. However, it is worth noting that the number of total births in the U.S. has also declined during this time period.
In conclusion, while Luana has had its ups and downs in popularity over the past century, it remains a distinctive and unique name with a rich history in the United States. With over 4600 recorded births between 1911 and 2023, Luana continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter.