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Nana as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Nana

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The baby name Nana is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Common pronunciations include NAH-nuh (/ˈnɑːnə/), NAN-uh (/ˈnænə/); Japanese: NA-na (/na.na/); Georgian: NA-na (/nɑnɑ/)..

Nana is Akan, English, Georgian, Japanese in Origin.

Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Akan, English, Georgian, Japanese
Pronunciation: Common pronunciations include NAH-nuh (/ˈnɑːnə/), NAN-uh (/ˈnænə/); Japanese: NA-na (/na.na/); Georgian: NA-na (/nɑnɑ/).

What is the meaning of the name Nana ?

The baby name Nana is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Common pronunciations include NAH-nuh (/ˈnɑːnə/), NAN-uh (/ˈnænə/); Japanese: NA-na (/na.na/); Georgian: NA-na (/nɑnɑ/)..

Nana is Akan, English, Georgian, Japanese in Origin.

Nana is a cross-cultural given name used across genders, with meanings varying by language. In Akan (Ghana), an honorific meaning “chief, elder, or grandparent,” widely used as a given name for all sexes. In Japanese, primarily feminine; meanings depend on kanji, often “seven” (七) or “greens/vegetation” (菜). In Georgia, a long-established women’s name, borne by 4th‑century Queen Nana of Iberia.

As a European pet form, Nana shortens Anna, Ioanna, and Ivana, inheriting the Hebrew Hannah sense of “grace” or “favor.” Variants include Nanna (Scandinavian), Naná (Iberian/Portuguese), Nanah; related forms Nanayaa (Akan fem.) and Japanese compounds Nanako, Nanae, Nanase. Notable bearers include Greek singer Nana Mouskouri, Ghana’s Nana Akufo‑Addo (honorific used as given name), and Japanese actress Komatsu Nana. The name blends regal respect, numeric symbolism, and affectionate familiarity.

Nana has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Nana

Nana Akufo-Addo Politician · Born 1944 · Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo is best known as the 13th president of Ghana, serving from January 2017 to January 2025. Born Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on 29 March 1944, he is a Ghanaian politician who also served as Attorney General from 2001 to 2003 and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007 under President John Kufuor. Nana Patekar Actor · Born 1951 · India Nana Patekar is an Indian actor best known for his powerful work in Hindi and Marathi cinema, especially in films like Parinda, Krantiveer, and Apaharan. Born Vishwanath Patekar on 1 January 1951, he is widely respected for his intense performances and has won multiple major honors, including three National Film Awards. Nana Alexandria Athlete · Born 1949 · Georgia Nana Alexandria is a well-known Georgian chess player who gained fame as a Women's World Chess Championship contender. She has represented Georgia in numerous international competitions and has been a prominent figure in the chess community since the 1970s.
Nana Visitor Actor · Born 1957 · United States Nana Visitor is an American actress best known for playing Kira Nerys on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She also appeared as Jean Ritter on Wildfire. Nana Ioseliani Athlete · Born 1962 · Georgia Nana Ioseliani is best known as a Georgian chess player and former world championship contender. She was awarded the Woman Grandmaster title by FIDE in 1980 and later became an International Master in 1993. Nana Jorjadze Actor · Born 1948 · Georgia Nana Jorjadze is best known as a Georgian film director, screenwriter, and actress. She has earned major recognition for her filmmaking, including an Academy Award nomination, and is known for works such as Robinsonade, or My English Grandfather and A Chef in Love.

Nana – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2003 #1 — 569
Ireland Girls 2006 #1 — 834
GH Girls 0 #1 4,453 6,973
GH 0 #1 2,176 5,396
GH Boys 0 #2 9,662 8,138
KH 0 #2 2 102
GE Girls 0 #5 566 1,564
BF 0 #8 3 188
BI 0 #8 5 425
BN Girls 0 #9 139 5,459
BN 0 #10 23 2,297
HT 0 #12 1 399
GE 0 #14 40 997
KR Girls 0 #14 2 572
ET Girls 0 #16 1 372
BF Girls 0 #17 1 315
DJ 0 #17 1 322
HT Girls 0 #18 6 950
BW 0 #19 1 960
BF Boys 0 #22 5 439
ET Boys 0 #27 1 678
BI Girls 0 #29 5 726
DJ Girls 0 #29 1 488
LB 0 #31 3,608 13,263
MV Girls 0 #33 3 2,021
ID 0 #35 5 2,238
MY Girls 0 #42 4,843 24,821
AZ 0 #43 1 706
BI Boys 0 #44 1 917
JP 0 #44 34 4,057
CM 0 #46 10 2,592
MO 0 #47 6 2,706
SD Girls 0 #48 1,069 7,678
ID Girls 0 #49 51 3,319
SY 0 #53 4,990 11,684
CY 0 #59 2 1,632
JO Girls 0 #60 1,139 7,570
TW 0 #60 41 4,523
EG Girls 0 #61 20,374 14,742
TW Girls 0 #61 320 8,139
GR Girls 0 #62 261 6,293
JP Girls 0 #62 297 6,592
PS Girls 0 #65 1,299 10,981
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
SA Girls 0 #66 3,495 25,931
AO 0 #67 10 2,729
AZ Girls 0 #67 9 1,051
LY 0 #68 1,340 12,703
CN 0 #69 17 3,857
AL 0 #74 3 2,372
SI 0 #75 6 1,612
AF 0 #76 1 1,883
SD 0 #77 24 2,130
KW Girls 0 #84 728 19,177
QA 0 #86 15 7,011
CY Girls 0 #88 34 3,755
KW 0 #91 26 5,216
JM 0 #92 2 3,714
AF Girls 0 #94 1 2,402
GE Boys 0 #94 16 2,055
KZ 0 #94 1 1,452
MY 0 #102 265 12,352
IQ 0 #104 26 3,533
OM 0 #105 12 6,215
PH 0 #107 4 5,607
ID Boys 0 #108 24 4,130
IQ Girls 0 #112 772 11,303
JO 0 #112 26 2,158
BN Boys 0 #119 15 6,332
BW Girls 0 #120 29 4,216
EC 0 #121 1 2,502
RS Girls 0 #123 13 1,651
GR 0 #124 11 3,911
OM Girls 0 #124 314 15,987
AE Girls 0 #125 582 20,968
AZ Boys 0 #130 2 1,400
EG 0 #130 619 6,387
MU 0 #136 2 3,613
PA 0 #136 3 3,797
MO Girls 0 #137 124 7,056
DZ 0 #140 5,997 20,130
EE Girls 0 #141 2 1,888
QA Girls 0 #142 184 15,378
MT Girls 0 #149 5 3,773
ZA Girls 0 #151 3,750 25,928
AE 0 #152 26 10,220
PR Girls 0 #152 10 3,171
BW Boys 0 #153 2 4,685
AO Girls 0 #154 56 4,575
RS Boys 0 #154 1 2,277
IL Girls 0 #157 930 11,648
CR 0 #158 8 5,526
DK 0 #158 46 5,198
SA 0 #158 140 10,560
SI Girls 0 #160 15 2,769
SG Girls 0 #166 688 18,916
LU Girls 0 #168 18 4,850
DK Girls 0 #170 171 7,429
HR 0 #170 10 2,081
MT Boys 0 #172 8 4,064
CM Boys 0 #173 740 12,054
HU Boys 0 #173 2 3,954
RU 0 #176 14 3,641
PR Boys 0 #177 2 2,508
PS 0 #180 39 5,692
UY 0 #181 2 2,477
CZ 0 #185 2 3,154
CN Girls 0 #187 195 8,829
CM Girls 0 #192 535 11,671
NG Girls 0 #192 1,682 15,093
AR 0 #193 1 2,915
NA Girls 0 #197 28 7,146
RU Girls 0 #198 521 11,913
LT Girls 0 #200 1 1,904
HK Girls 0 #204 722 16,104
AL Girls 0 #205 18 4,141
BG Girls 0 #207 17 3,559
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
CO Girls 0 #214 3,790 16,140
CR Girls 0 #216 441 11,342
NG 0 #217 48 5,926
SG 0 #217 53 11,010
LU Boys 0 #218 3 4,970
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
HU Girls 0 #220 6 3,308
TW Boys 0 #221 21 7,111
NA Boys 0 #225 11 6,830
IR 0 #227 5 4,221
MO Boys 0 #227 8 5,842
YE 0 #229 166 8,639
BD 0 #236 6 5,992
JM Girls 0 #238 22 7,507
IL 0 #245 30 6,291
MA 0 #245 3,954 20,986
PT 0 #245 6 4,161
AO Boys 0 #248 2 5,568
HR Girls 0 #250 40 3,687
GR Boys 0 #251 17 6,912
EC Girls 0 #255 4 3,650
HR Boys 0 #257 3 3,997
AF Boys 0 #273 2 3,535
CN Boys 0 #273 47 9,639
JP Boys 0 #273 25 7,909
Finland Girls 0 #274 125 1,368
KZ Girls 0 #275 46 5,862
Canada Girls 2022 #276 5 2,867
Finland 0 #283 25 830
CO 0 #285 230 7,768
AL Boys 0 #286 13 5,122
JM Boys 0 #289 5 6,876
KZ Boys 0 #293 4 6,578
Canada Boys 2024 #295 12 2,588
CZ Boys 0 #297 9 6,530
HK 0 #304 45 8,483
JO Boys 0 #308 70 7,057
DK Boys 0 #310 16 7,401
BR 0 #316 30 5,969
EG Boys 0 #318 1,075 15,035
ZA 0 #322 126 14,421
PE 0 #324 6 6,350
PL Girls 0 #327 28 5,096
CZ Girls 0 #329 13 5,378
MU Girls 0 #332 20 8,539
Austria Girls 0 #333 88 1,885
PH Girls 0 #335 56 13,098
GT 0 #338 1 5,948
PL Boys 0 #339 2 6,459
PT Girls 0 #352 103 7,952
NL 0 #357 35 2,481
PT Boys 0 #358 10 7,951
MU Boys 0 #365 5 8,477
BH 0 #369 186 17,937
PH Boys 0 #373 11 11,440
France Girls 2021 #377 29 3,185
SD Boys 0 #382 64 10,523
Finland Boys 0 #388 40 2,041
Germany 0 #391 47 2,542
BD Girls 0 #398 9 8,413
IR Girls 0 #399 133 8,334
MX 0 #399 15 8,339
Spain 0 #404 49 2,326
BO 0 #405 4 6,868
UY Boys 0 #407 7 5,922
France Boys 2013 #411 3 2,790
Austria Boys 0 #428 15 2,180
PS Boys 0 #429 120 10,655
CL 0 #430 5 6,867
PA Girls 0 #436 46 9,861
Finland Girls 2026 #447 420 3,895
AR Boys 0 #458 10 7,628
Germany Girls 0 #464 471 4,949
Spain Girls 0 #466 713 5,561
CR Boys 0 #467 21 10,188
UY Girls 0 #475 36 6,731
BR Girls 0 #480 634 12,708
RU Boys 0 #483 23 12,621
HK Boys 0 #493 35 12,905
PA Boys 0 #503 3 9,305
IT Girls 0 #515 1,767 9,415
IL Boys 0 #530 78 10,983
AR Girls 0 #534 66 8,289
IR Boys 0 #534 19 10,162
QA Boys 0 #534 174 18,093
GT Girls 0 #535 7 7,500
BD Boys 0 #544 33 10,045
IN Girls 0 #562 70 13,121
IQ Boys 0 #580 88 13,071
KW Boys 0 #584 187 18,755
TN 0 #584 266 13,765
BO Girls 0 #587 25 9,488
NL Girls 0 #598 379 5,933
TR 0 #605 1,235 19,440
IT 0 #619 96 4,183
BO Boys 0 #620 3 9,244
CL Girls 0 #637 221 14,098
SG Boys 0 #638 60 17,960
IN Boys 0 #654 368 16,750
CL Boys 0 #655 11 13,390
Finland Boys 2026 #672 11 3,552
BR Boys 0 #696 56 12,213
IT Boys 0 #724 931 10,046
ZA Boys 0 #726 518 25,619
MY Boys 0 #743 392 25,439
NL Boys 0 #747 206 5,873
NG Boys 0 #756 200 16,906
Spain Boys 0 #765 167 5,610
OM Boys 0 #796 86 17,948
AE Boys 0 #813 283 22,615
CO Boys 0 #836 85 15,656
PE Girls 0 #838 106 14,861
SA Boys 0 #846 991 28,008
Germany Boys 0 #852 101 5,697
PE Boys 0 #868 11 14,506
United States Boys 2024 #881 12 7,044
United States Girls 2024 #903 14 8,487
MX Boys 0 #967 16 16,355
MX Girls 0 #977 207 17,781

Nana is popular in 93 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Canada
United States
Ireland
Ireland

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People also ask about Nana

Nana is a unisex name, given to both boys and girls.
Nana is a 2 syllable name, pronounced Common pronunciations include NAH-nuh (/ˈnɑːnə/), NAN-uh (/ˈnænə/); Japanese: NA-na (/na.na/); Georgian: NA-na (/nɑnɑ/)..
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Nanna, Nene, Nonna and Nani.
Across languages, Nana has these equivalents: Anna (phonetic/related in some contexts), Nanna (Scandinavian), Nonna (Italian, as grandmother equivalent), Chief / King / Queen (functional equivalents for the Akan title use).
Yes, very popular — Nana ranked #1 in Ireland in 2003, and appears in official birth registries across 6 countries.
Nana ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2003).
Yes — 10 notable people named Nana are in our database, including Nana Akufo-Addo (Politician), Nana Patekar (Actor), Nana Alexandria (Athlete).