The name Lanna is of Thai origin and has a significant historical and cultural background. It refers to the ancient kingdom that existed in present-day northern Thailand from the 13th to the late 18th century, known as the Lanna Kingdom.
The name Lanna itself means "a million rice fields" in the Thai language. This reflects the rich agricultural landscape of the region and highlights its importance as a center of rice cultivation during the kingdom's era. The name also evokes images of lush greenery, vibrant colors, and ancient traditions that have shaped the culture and identity of the people from this region.
The Lanna Kingdom was founded by King Mangrai in 1259 AD after he unified several small principalities under his rule. Over time, it became one of the most powerful and prosperous kingdoms in Southeast Asia, renowned for its art, architecture, and trade networks that extended as far as China and India.
The use of Lanna as a given name is relatively modern and not widely practiced in Thailand. However, among those who choose this name, it often serves as an homage to the kingdom's rich history, culture, and heritage. It may also be seen as a way to honor one's Northern Thai ancestry or to embody the spirit of resilience and strength that characterized the Lanna people throughout their history.
In summary, while not traditionally used as a personal name in Thailand, Lanna carries considerable historical significance and cultural importance due to its association with the ancient kingdom. As a given name, it may evoke feelings of pride in one's Northern Thai heritage or serve as a tribute to the enduring legacy of the Lanna Kingdom.
The name Lanna has seen a fluctuating popularity over the past century in the United States. With only five births recorded in 1919, it was quite rare during that time. However, it gained some traction in the following decades, with six births in 1933 and five births in 1939.
The name's popularity peaked during World War II, with a significant increase in births between 1940 and 1947. The highest number of Lanna births recorded was 38 in 1947. This trend continued into the early 1950s, with 37 births in 1951 and 30 births in 1952.
However, after 1953, the popularity of the name Lanna began to decline. The number of births dropped significantly, with only 12 recorded in 1953. This trend of decreasing popularity continued throughout the rest of the century, with the lowest point being 14 births in 1959.
In recent years, the name Lanna has seen a resurgence in popularity. After reaching its lowest point with only 15 births in 2020, there was an increase to 19 births in 2021 and 25 births in 2022. This upward trend continued into 2023, with 22 Lanna births recorded so far.
Overall, despite its fluctuating popularity over the past century, the name Lanna has been given to a total of 2077 babies in the United States since 1919.