Tristana is of Spanish origin, derived from the Portuguese 'Tristão', which is an Old French form of the Latin 'Tristan'. This name gained prominence through the legend of Tristan and Isolde, a medieval romance involving two lovers whose relationship was marred by tragedy. In literature, Tristana appears as the protagonist in a novella by Spanish author Federico García Lorca. The name has been infrequently used outside Spain but has begun to attract some interest among parents seeking unique yet elegant monikers for their daughters.
"The name Tristana appears to have been popular among parents in the early 1970s, with a total of 25 babies given this unique name over two decades."