Dana in Chinese
Dana in Chinese is 达娜 (Dá Nà).
- Origin
- Hebrew/English
- Meaning
- judge; from Denmark
Dana is a name of Hebrew/English origin, generally understood to mean "judge; from Denmark". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1882 and peaked in 1971. About 22% of US babies with this name were boys, so it is effectively unisex.
3 ways to write Dana
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
达娜
Dá Nà
The standard transliteration of Dana: 达 (dá, "to reach, attain"), 娜 (nà, "graceful, elegant"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 达 (dá) carries "da", 娜 (nà) carries "na". The tone contour is 2-4 (rising, falling).
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 达
dá
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to reach, attain
- 娜
nà
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
graceful, elegant
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
文依
Wén Yī
Inspired by "judge; from Denmark": 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined") + 依 (yī, "to depend on; gentle, clinging"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Dana's meaning ("judge; from Denmark") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 文 (literature, culture; refined) and 依 (to depend on; gentle, clinging) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
- 依
yī
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to depend on; gentle, clinging
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
达婉
Dá Wǎn
达 (dá, "to reach, attain") + 婉 (wǎn, "gentle, graceful"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 达 (dá), the same opening character as the transliteration 达娜, for the "da" sound, and replaces the rest with 婉 ("gentle, graceful") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 达
dá
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to reach, attain
- 婉
wǎn
Tone 3 · 11 strokes (simplified)
gentle, graceful
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 191,498 girls named Dana since 1882, with the high point in 1971 (6,932 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #114 to #940 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1971
- Peak decade
- 1970s
- First year
- 1882
- Total since 1880
- 191,498
More About Dana in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Dana offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Dana, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for people, you might also be interested in Riley in Chinese, Hayden in Chinese, and Dakota in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Casey in Chinese, Peyton in Chinese, and Ashton in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Dana, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Dana to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Dana translated into Chinese?
达娜 (Dá Nà), or 達娜 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is Dana a boy's or girl's name?
Both. In SSA data about 22% of bearers were boys; the Chinese transliteration 达娜 is gender-neutral.
Is there a Chinese name for Dana with real meaning?
Try 文依 (Wén Yī): literature, culture; refined + to depend on; gentle, clinging, inspired by "judge; from Denmark". For something that still sounds like Dana, 达婉 (Dá Wǎn) is a middle ground.