Diana is a feminine given name of Latin origin, meaning "divine, goddesslike". It derives from Latin dia or diva meaning "goddess", ultimately from the Indo-European root *dyew-, also found in Zeus. The name is linked to the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of the moon, hunting, forests, and childbirth, often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis. Etymology The Latin name Dīāna sometimes appears in older forms as Dīvāna or is related to Jana. Its meaning is widely understood as “divine,” “goddesslike,” “heavenly,” or “shining.” The name has been used as a given name since the Renaissance, when classical names were revived in Europe. Popularity in the English-Speaking World Diana was adopted in the English-speaking world in the 1600s by classically educated parents, initially as an English version of the French Diane. However, its popularity surged following literary works such as Walter Scott's novel Rob Roy (1817), which featured a character named Diana Vernon, and George Meredith's Diana of the Crossways (1885). A key bearer is Diana Spencer (1961–1997), the Princess of Wales, whose global fame greatly reinforced the name's popularity. Notable Bearers Beyond Princess Diana, notable namesakes include actresses Diana Ross and Diana Rigg, as well as literary and historical figures. Variants and Cultural Forms The name has many variants across languages, including Dianna (English), Diane (English/French), Daiana (Romanian), Dajana (Serbian), Dijana (Slovene), Kiana 1 (English/Hawaiian), Diána (Hungarian), and Diāna (Latvian). A common diminutive is Di (English). Other related modern English variants include Keanna and Kianna. Meaning: Divine, goddesslike Origin: Latin, from the Roman goddess Diana Type: Feminine given name Usage regions: Armenian, Georgian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian, Roman