Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Savanna

Savanna is a slight respelling of Savannah. The name Savannah is a girl’s name that is used in the United States and borne from the place name Savannah, Georgia, a well-known southern city established in 1733 and built on the Savannah River. The river’s name was likely derived from variant names for the Shawnee tribe, a Native American people who migrated to the river in the 1680s which was the southernmost part of the Algonquin nation. In the Algonquian language the word “shawano” means ‘southerner.’ It is also thought to be derived from a Shawnee word meaning moderate, warm climate. A savanna, or savannah, is also a grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being small and widely spaced so that the canopy does not close, thus providing very little shade. It was the United States that popularized this name, but like Madison, other English-speaking nations responded and borrowed the moniker for their own lists. Savannah (with an H) is a Top 100 favorite in Canada and Australia.

All About the Baby Name – Savanna

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME SAVANNA

The number Nine personality represents the completion or ending of the cycle, and a need for perfection. This is the personality that moves from "self" to a greater understanding and compassion for the human condition and the world order. They want to make the world a better place. Nines are capable of great spiritual and humanitarian achievements. They are courageous and fearless, able to fight great battles on behalf of worthy causes. These personalities will not tolerate injustice. They are compassionate people with a strong sensitivity to others. They are able to both educate and inspire. Friendships and relationships are the lifeblood to the Nine, and they place a high value on love and affection. Nines are often exceptionally gifted artistically, and they have a keen imagination and enterprising mind.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME SAVANNA

Savanna (without an “H” on the end) first appeared on the female naming charts in 1984, immediately following the success of Savannah. There are now three variations of this name: Savannah, Savanna and Savanah. Over 80% of the baby girls receiving one of the three forms of this name today get the spelling of Savannah while close to 15% opt for Savanna without the “H”. It’s a less fanciful way to render the name, but it also detaches it from association with the place name in Georgia. Savannah is an example of an ultra-trendy modern name following the fashions of naming children after places (Madison, Paris, Phoenix, Sierra, etc). While Savanna has reached levels of moderate usage, Savannah with the “H” is a Top 50 favorite. It’s a pretty, feminine sounding name, but you must not mind following trends because that’s what Savanna(h) is – a hot, modern-day, American fad. And usually fads are fleeting, but now that Savannah has nearly 30 years under her belt, she may just be here to stay. We’ll have to wait and see if this contemporary ‘southern’ belle can take her permanent place alongside the Catherines, Annes and Elizabeths of the charts.

Quick Facts

ON SAVANNA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

442

PRONUNCIATION:

sah-VAN-a

SIMPLE MEANING:

Southerner

Characteristics

OF SAVANNA

Multi-talented

Intuitive

Oneness

Idealistic

Philanthropy

Independent

Perfection

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Savanna

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME SAVANNA

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Savanna

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME SAVANNA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Savanna


Popular Songs

ON SAVANNA

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Savanna


Famous People

NAMED SAVANNA

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Savanna.

Children of Famous People

NAMED SAVANNA

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

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME SAVANNA

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