Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Diana

The name Diana is borne from Roman mythology by the goddess of the hunt and the moon (in Greek mythology her name is Artemis). Diana was the daughter of the king of all Roman gods, Jupiter, and the twin sister of Apollo, god of the arts and the sun. Diana was an important figure in Roman pagan civilization particularly among the plebeians (before Christianity was adopted as the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380). In Roman mythology, Diana is characterized as beautiful, a skillful huntress, chaste (a virgin who swears never to marry), and a protector of childbirth. The name is most likely borrowed from the Greek word “dios” which means ‘of Zeus’ (Zeus being the Greek equivalent to the Roman Jupiter). ‘Of Zeus’ would of course translate to ‘divine.’ The ancient word “divios” also means ‘sky’ which is appropriate since Diana was the moon goddess. The name Diana was brought to England by way of the French (who use “Diane”) and the virgin goddess was a favorite reference among Elizabethan poets and playwrights. As a given name, however, Diana did not come into widespread usage until the late 1800s. Prior, Christians especially were reluctant to bestow this pagan name upon their daughters.

All About the Baby Name – Diana

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME DIANA

The Number 2 personality in numerology is all about cooperation and balance. It's the number of diplomats and mediators. They are not leaders, but strive rather for harmony in partnerships. These are the peacemakers. Equality and fairness are important in their dealings, and they are willing to share power and responsibility to achieve a harmonious outcome. This personality is calm and patient, waiting for things to evolve instead of pushing aggressively for an outcome. They are good-natured and easy-going, and care deeply on an emotional and spiritual plane. Twos appreciate beauty and nature and are intent on making the world a better place.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME DIANA

At the beginning of the 20th century in America, the name Diana was used for little girls, although her popularity was moderate at best. As the decades persisted into the last century, Diana slowly but surely began to climb the charts. The name landed a spot on the Top 100 list of most commonly-used girl names in 1941. Diana would definitely be considered a mid-century favorite (like Linda, Patricia and Barbara), having achieved her highest point of popularity from the late 1940s through the early 1960s. It appeared the name was going out of style in 1976 when Diana fell off the Top 100 list for the first time in over 30 years. This reversal on the charts would be abruptly challenged in 1981 when Lady Diana Spencer became engaged to the future king of England, Prince Charles of Wales. This shy and beautiful young lady would add some much needed currency to this waning name. For the next 30 years, Diana would maintain an average position on the charts around 100. Only in the past couple of years has the name made what appears to be more permanent jumps back down the charts. Diana is now barely on the Top 200 list. We must admit Diana does feel a little out-dated for today’s parents, but it is still a “divinely” beautiful name!

Quick Facts

ON DIANA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

270

PRONUNCIATION:

dye-ANN-uh

SIMPLE MEANING:

Divine, sky

Characteristics

OF DIANA

Cooperative

Considerate

Compassionate

Nurturing

Sensitive

Patient

Loving

Kind

Gracious

Balanced

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Diana

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME DIANA

As mentioned above, Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon, and an important pagan symbol to the Greeks and Romans for centuries. She was one of the three maiden goddesses (along with Minerva and Vesta) who maintained their virginity and swore never to marry. She is depicted in mythology, poetry and literature as a slim and beautiful goddess, a skillful huntress, and extremely talented with the bow and arrow. One of the most famous stories of Diana (Artemis in Greek mythology) took place during the Trojan War in the 12th century B.C. The epic 10 year Greek battle between Sparta and Troy raged when Paris of Troy took the beautiful Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. As the Greeks gathered their giant fleet of ships in the port of Aulis, the winds suddenly ceased and they could not launch. Apparently, Diana was punishing the Greek commander Agamemnon for killing one of her beloved animals and for bragging that he was a better hunter than she. The only way he could appease her was to sacrifice his own daughter Iphigenia. Agamemnon does as he is told and Diana restores the wind so that the Greeks go on to destroy Troy. It’s another typical mythological tale wherein the gods and goddesses amuse themselves by toying with the mortals like pieces on a chess board.

All's Well That Ends Well

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME DIANA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Diana


Popular Songs

ON DIANA

Diana
a song by Bryan Adams

What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana
a song by Merle Haggard

Dirty Diana
a song by Michael Jackson

Brigidine Diana
a song by Sinead O'Connor

Famous People

NAMED DIANA

Diana, Princess of Wales (royalty)
Diana Krall (jazz artist)
Diana Ross (singer/entertainer)
Diana Damrau (opera singer)
Diana Muldaur (actress)
Diana Luna (golfer)
Diana Lynn (actress)
Diana Vishneva (ballerina)

Children of Famous People

NAMED DIANA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Diana

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME DIANA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Diana