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Shana

Girl name · 32 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Shana: 32 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 1993.

Shana is most familiar as an English-language variant of the Irish Siobhán, itself derived from the French Jehanne – ultimately from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious.” The name gained modern popularity through its phonetic spelling, often chosen as a stylish alternative to Shawna or Shannon. Notable bearers include the American journalist and television commentator Shana Alexander, a pioneering figure on 60 Minutes, and Shana Hiatt, a former host of the World Poker Tour. While no major place is directly named after a Shana, the name shares its root with countless places called John, from Johannesburg to St. John’s