Savannah in Chinese
Savannah in Chinese is 萨凡娜 (Sà Fán Nà).
- Origin
- Spanish
- Meaning
- open grassland
Etymologically, Savannah is Spanish and is commonly glossed as "open grassland". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s.
3 ways to write Savannah
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
萨凡娜
Sà Fán Nà
The standard transliteration of Savannah: 萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')"), 凡 (fán, "ordinary; all (phonetic 'van')"), 娜 (nà, "graceful, elegant"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 萨 (sà) carries "sa", 凡 (fán) carries "van", 娜 (nà) carries "nah". The tone contour is 4-2-4 (falling, rising, falling).
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 萨
sà
Tone 4 · 11 strokes (simplified)
Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')
- 凡
fán
Tone 2 · 3 strokes (simplified)
ordinary; all (phonetic 'van')
- 娜
nà
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
graceful, elegant
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
雅岚
Yǎ Lán
Inspired by "open grassland": 雅 (yǎ, "elegant, refined") + 岚 (lán, "mountain mist"), expressing land, hills and home.
Why these characters?
Because Savannah is linked to "grassland", the name leads with 雅 (elegant, refined); 岚 (mountain mist) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 雅
yǎ
Tone 3 · 12 strokes (simplified)
elegant, refined
- 岚
lán
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
mountain mist
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
萨岚
Sà Lán
萨 (sà, "Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')") + 岚 (lán, "mountain mist"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 萨 (sà), the same opening character as the transliteration 萨凡娜, for the "sa" sound, and replaces the rest with 岚 ("mountain mist") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 萨
sà
Tone 4 · 11 strokes (simplified)
Bodhisattva (phonetic 'sa')
- 岚
lán
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
mountain mist
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Savannah
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Savannah ranked 82 among names recorded for girls, with 17,482 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 164,852 girls named Savannah since 1880, with the high point in 2000 (7,099 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #205 to #38 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2000
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 164,852
More About Savannah in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Savannah 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 Savannah, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Brooke in Chinese, Katie in Chinese, and Kaitlyn in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Leah in Chinese, Sydney in Chinese, and Hailey in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Savannah, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Savannah 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
What is Savannah in Chinese characters?
萨凡娜 (Sà Fán Nà), or 薩凡娜 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is Savannah written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 萨凡娜 becomes 薩凡娜; the changed characters are 萨→薩. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.
Is there a Chinese name for Savannah with real meaning?
Try 雅岚 (Yǎ Lán): elegant, refined + mountain mist, inspired by "open grassland". For something that still sounds like Savannah, 萨岚 (Sà Lán) is a middle ground.