Surname Danna - Meaning and Origin
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Danna: What does the surname Danna mean?
Danna is a surname with several possible origins, considering it is used in various cultures. It can be of Hebrew origin, where it is typically used as a female first name meaning "God is my judge". Also Italian in origin, specifically in Southern Italy, where occupational surnames were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, the last name Danna is rooted from "d'Anna," or "of Anna," suggesting a possible matrilineal origin or deriving from a patriarch named "Anna". In addition, the surname can be of Irish origin where it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Duinnín (meaning descendent of little brown one) making it a diminutive form of Donn (brown). It is more concentrated in the southern County Cork region in Ireland. Hence, the surname Danna is multi-ethnic and signifies different meanings and origins in different cultures. The true meaning would be dependent on the personal history and origin of individuals bearing it.
Order DNA origin analysisDanna: Where does the name Danna come from?
The last name Danna primarily originated in Italy. The name is believed to have been derived from the personal name Dana, meaning "from Denmark", hence it was likely initially given to someone from Denmark or who had connections with the place. It may also have originated from the Greek name Danaos, which was used in Southern Italy. In addition, the surname has Jewish Ashkenazic origins, where it possibly evolved as a variant of a patronymic name from the Hebrew male first name Daniel.
As of today, the Danna surname is most prevalent in the United States, specifically in Texas. A significant concentration of individuals with the Danna surname can also be found in Italy, particularly in the Northwestern region of Liguria. Other countries where the Danna last name is somewhat common include Mexico, Argentina, and Canada. However, in terms of density, the highest is in San Marino, a small country surrounded by Italy.
Variations of the surname Danna
The surname Danna has various variants, spellings and names of the same origin including Dana, Dhana, Danah, Dannah, D'Ana, and D-Ana. It can also be spelled as Donne, Daine, and Dane depending upon the country and language influences.
Other similar surnames include Danner, Danne, Danni, Daina, and Dainna. Some people may also spell it as Duna, Dhanna and Dhenna due to phonetic similarities.
The surname might also be given a prefix or suffix to indicate a family line or geographic origin such as deDanna, Danna-Smith, or O'Danna.
In terms of surnames of the same or similar origin, Danna is an Hebrew origin surname which means "God is my judge". Therefore, other Hebrew surnames which have a similar meaning could also be considered of the same origin, such as Daniel or Danielle.
However, Danna is also seen as a variant of Dana, a surname of Celtic and Gaelic origin. So, associated Gaelic or Celtic surnames such as Dain or Dainis might be regarded as having the same origin.
Famous people with the name Danna
- Mychael Danna: A Canadian film composer.
- Jeff Danna: A Canadian composer recognized for his film scores, he is also the brother of Mychael Danna.
- Devon Danna: An American film producer.
- Felice Danna: A popular Italian actress known for her roles in various Italian films and TV shows.
- Ken Danna: A prominent figure in U.S college football, having had a successful career as a football coach.
- Giuseppe Danna: An Italian director and writer recognized for his work in Italian film and television. The last name 'Danna' appears most popular in the entertainment industry, particularly in film scoring, directing, and acting. The most recognized individuals with this last name are the brothers Mychael and Jeff Danna, who have leave significant marks on the world of film music. Moreover, individuals like Devon Danna and Giuseppe Danna have used their talent within the film industry as producer and director, respectively. Meanwhile, in the sports world, Ken Danna has left a significant mark in college football in the United States.