Alanna is a unique and captivating feminine given name that originates from the Irish language. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Celtic goddess of the same name, Al muir nann. In Irish mythology, Alanna was associated with beauty, elegance, and the mysteries of the sea.
The name Alanna is composed of two distinct elements: "al" meaning "harmony" or "peace," and "-nna" which translates to "grace" or "beauty." Therefore, the full meaning of Alanna can be interpreted as "harmonious grace" or "peaceful beauty."
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who carried the name Alanna. One such figure is Alanna Kelly, a Canadian actress known for her roles in television shows and films such as Degrassi: The Next Generation and The Best Laid Plans. Another well-known individual named Alanna is Australian singer-songwriter Alannah Myles, who achieved fame with her hit song "Black Velvet."
In literature, the name Alanna appears in various works, most notably in Tamora Pierce's fantasy series, The Song of the Lioness quartet, where the protagonist is a young girl named Alanna of Trebond. This character is known for her courage and determination as she navigates the challenges of becoming a knight in a medieval society.
Today, Alanna remains a distinctive and appealing name choice for parents looking to give their daughter an uncommon yet meaningful moniker with deep historical roots. Its unique combination of harmony and grace makes it an attractive option for those seeking a name that embodies elegance and beauty. Despite its Irish origins, Alanna has gained popularity worldwide, appearing in baby naming charts across various countries.
Alanna is a unique and distinctive name that has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. Analyzing the statistical data from 1930 to 2023, we can observe several trends.
In the early decades, the name Alanna was quite uncommon, with fewer than 10 births each year between 1930 and 1954. However, starting in the mid-1950s, there was a noticeable increase in popularity, with an average of around 40 births per year from 1956 to 1962.
The late 1960s marked a significant turning point for the name Alanna, as it began to gain substantial traction. Between 1967 and 1973, the number of annual births with this name more than doubled, reaching over 100 per year on average during this period.
The height of popularity for Alanna came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with a peak of 252 births in 1980. This trend continued throughout most of the 1980s, with an average of approximately 300 births per year from 1980 to 1989.
The 1990s saw a further increase in the popularity of the name Alanna, with over 500 births recorded annually between 1990 and 2000. The trend continued into the new millennium, with an average of around 600 births per year from 2000 to 2014.
More recently, the popularity of the name Alanna has shown some fluctuations but remains relatively stable. Between 2015 and 2023, the number of annual births with this name ranged between approximately 520 and 676, indicating that it continues to be a popular choice among parents in the United States.
In summary, while Alanna was not particularly common in its early years, it has since gained significant popularity, reaching peak popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although there have been some fluctuations in recent years, Alanna remains a widely chosen name for newborn girls in the United States.