Milana is a charming and elegant female given name of Slavic origin. It comes from the Slavic word "mila," which means "dear" or "beloved." This name has been popular in various Slavic countries for centuries, including Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
The name Milana is believed to have originated as a diminutive form of other Slavic names containing the element "mil-," such as Milena, which means "dear" or "gracious." It can also be seen as a variant spelling of the Italian female given name Milanese, which refers to someone from the city of Milan.
Throughout history, Milana has been associated with several notable figures. One famous bearer of this name is Milana Terzova, a prominent Bulgarian actress and director known for her contributions to Bulgarian cinema during the mid-20th century. Additionally, Milana Zilnik is a Serbian film director and screenwriter who gained international recognition for his independent films in the 1960s and 1970s.
In popular culture, Milana has also appeared as a character name in various movies and television shows. For instance, it was used as the first name of one of the main characters in the American drama series "Sons of Anarchy."
Overall, Milana is a beautiful and meaningful name with deep roots in Slavic history and culture. Its positive connotation makes it an attractive choice for parents looking to give their daughter a charming and distinctive name with a rich heritage behind it.
The name Milana has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the data provided, there were only six births with the name Milana in 1947. However, starting from the 1980s, there was a noticeable uptick in the number of babies named Milana, with seven births in 1981 and eight births in 1985.
The turning point came in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the popularity of the name Milana began to surge. In 1999, there were 33 births, followed by 42 births in 2000, 60 births in 2002, and over 100 births per year from 2005 onwards.
The peak of popularity for the name Milana was reached in 2015 with an impressive 421 births. Since then, the popularity has remained high, with over 300 births each year until 2023. In total, there have been 6331 babies named Milana born in the United States since 1947.
This trend reflects a broader pattern of increased diversity and uniqueness in baby names over recent decades. Parents are now more likely to choose less common names for their children, possibly inspired by cultural influences or personal preferences. The steady rise in popularity of the name Milana is just one example of this phenomenon.