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The short answer
Diana is a feminine name that Behind the Name defines as "divine, goddesslike", a derivative of Latin dia or diva meaning "goddess", ultimately related to the Indo-European root *dyew- found in Zeus. Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests and childbirth, often identified with the Greek Artemis. As a given name it has been used regularly since the Renaissance, and became more common in the English-speaking world after Walter Scott's novel Rob Roy (1817). Its most famous modern bearer was Diana Spencer (1961-1997), the Princess of Wales. It is pronounced dye-AN-ə in English, and ranked #244 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Diana as meaning "divine, goddesslike", "a derivative of Latin dia or diva meaning 'goddess'", and notes that it "is ultimately related to the same Indo-European root *dyew- found in Zeus". The bearer behind the name is the Roman goddess Diana, whose domains the entry lists as the moon, hunting, forests and childbirth, and who was often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis. Behind the Name records regular use of the given name since the Renaissance, and credits Walter Scott's Rob Roy (1817), with its character Diana Vernon, for the name's spread in the English-speaking world; George Meredith's novel Diana of the Crossways (1885) is also mentioned. The entry lists the root as Latin divus.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | dia / diva | goddess |
| Latin | divus | divine (root listed by Behind the Name) |
| Proto-Indo-European | *dyew- | the root also found in Zeus |
Popularity
Diana ranked #244 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration); Behind the Name reports the same 2025 US rank. Behind the Name lists the name as used across a very wide range of languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Armenian and Georgian.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #244 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Di
Variants: Dianna, Diane, Kiana, Kianna, Keanna, Daiana, Dayana, Divina
Related names: Dijana, Dajana, Diána, Diāna, Artemis
What the name feels like
Diana is a three-syllable classic that manages to feel both mythological and mid-century, thanks to the goddess on one side and the princess on the other. It is used almost unchanged across dozens of languages, which makes it an unusually portable name.
Style tags: classic, mythological, royal association, three syllables, cross-cultural, Latin
Editorial interpretation: The style impressions above are editorial opinion, not fact. Artemis is listed among related names because Behind the Name says the goddess Diana was identified with her, not because the names are etymologically linked. The variant and other-language forms are a selection from Behind the Name's lists.
If you like this name
Names that share Diana's goddess origins, its sound or its classic cross-cultural feel. These groupings are editorial suggestions.
Similar by meaning
- Artemis
- Divina
- Theia
- Dea
Similar by sound
Similar by style
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Diana mean?
Diana means "divine, goddesslike". Behind the Name derives it from Latin dia or diva meaning "goddess", ultimately from the Indo-European root *dyew- also found in Zeus.
Who was Diana in mythology?
Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests and childbirth, often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis.
How popular is Diana in the United States?
Diana ranked #244 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Diana — supports etymology, mythology, history of use, notable bearer, variants, pronunciation.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
