Rana
77% girls · 23% boys
About Rana
A favorite in Near Eastern cultures, with a charming meaning.
Rana for boys#6073 US
Rana is a masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Arabic, Rana means "eye-catching" or "to gaze upon," while in Sanskrit it means "king" or "ruler." The name also appears in other cultures: in Persian it can mean "bright" or "luminous," and in Spanish it means "frog." While Rana is used for boys primarily in Arabic and South Asian cultures, it's worth noting that in many Western countries, Rana is more commonly used as a feminine name. The name has maintained steady popularity in countries like Pakistan, India, and various Middle Eastern nations. Rana has a melodic, flowing quality while remaining brief and easy to pronounce across languages. Its cross-cultural presence makes it appealing for families with connections to multiple traditions or those seeking a name with international versatility.
Pronounced RAH-nuh.
As of November 2026, Rana ranked #3203 for girls and #6073 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #1031 for girls in 1971 and #5813 for boys in 1974.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,178 | 52 | 29.1 |
| 2015 | #3,465 | 46 | 25.8 |
| 2016 | #2,755 | 63 | 35.6 |
| 2017 | #3,536 | 44 | 25.5 |
| 2018 | #2,957 | 56 | 32.9 |
| 2019 | #2,844 | 59 | 35.2 |
| 2020 | #3,128 | 51 | 31.5 |
| 2021 | #3,240 | 50 | 30.5 |
| 2022 | #2,628 | 67 | 40.9 |
| 2023 | #3,367 | 48 | 29.9 |
| 2024 | #3,729 | 41 | 25.3 |
| 2025 | #3,203 | 50 | 31.1 |
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Rana on lists
Famous Ranas
- Rana Saddam HusseinGirl
daughter of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein
- Rana ForooharGirl
CNN Contributor and TIME Assistant Managing Editor
Rana in pop culture
- RánaGirl
the Moon in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle,earth
- Rana Nazir (née Habeeb)Girl
character in Coronation Street