UK girl's name
Svana
A female Scandinavian name possibly derived from the Old Norse word svanni, meaning "swan".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Svana is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Svana popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5730, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2009 to 2015. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Svana. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Svana ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 girls were registered as Svana.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Svana as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5730
2015
Births in 2015
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Svana mean?
The name Svana has its origins in the Old Norse language, which was spoken by the Scandinavian peoples during the Viking Age, roughly between the 8th and 11th centuries AD. It is derived from the Old Norse word "svanr," meaning "swan." The name is believed to have been inspired by the graceful and majestic appearance of these birds, which were revered in Norse mythology.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Svana can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of stories and historical accounts from the 13th and 14th centuries. These sagas often featured characters with names related to nature, reflecting the close connection between the Norse people and their environment.
In the Saga of the Greenlanders, written around 1200 AD, there is a character named Svana Þórðardóttir, who was the daughter of a wealthy landowner in Iceland. This provides evidence of the name's use during the medieval period in Scandinavia.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Svana. One of the earliest was Svana Illugadóttir (1218-1300), an influential Icelandic chieftain and landowner who played a significant role in the island's politics during the Age of the Sturlungs.
Another prominent figure was Svana Þorsteinsdóttir (1530-1610), a wealthy Icelandic landowner and one of the last Catholic women in the country before the Protestant Reformation took hold. Her estate, Svanastaðir, was named after her, and she was known for her generosity and support of the Church.
In more recent times, Svana Ingólfsdóttir (1942-2021) was an Icelandic author and translator, renowned for her work in children's literature and her translations of books from English and other languages into Icelandic.
Svana Lam (born 1975) is a Danish artist and sculptor, known for her large-scale installations and public artworks. Her work often explores themes of nature, identity, and the human condition.
Svana Gandrup (born 1979) is a Danish chef and restaurateur, who has gained recognition for her innovative approach to Nordic cuisine and her commitment to sustainability and locally sourced ingredients.
While the name Svana is undoubtedly rooted in the Nordic languages and cultures, its beauty and unique meaning have transcended geographical boundaries, making it a popular choice for parents around the world who appreciate its historical significance and connection to nature.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Svana over time
The chart below shows babies named Svana registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Svana, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Svana by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Svana was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5730 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #5556 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Svana
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Svana: questions and answers
How popular is the name Svana in the UK right now?
In 2015, Svana was ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Svana most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Svana in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Svana?
A female Scandinavian name possibly derived from the Old Norse word svanni, meaning "swan".
How many people are called Svana in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Svana across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.