Tiana is a feminine given name primarily used in English-speaking countries. It originated as a short form of the names Tatiana or Christiana. In some cases, it may also be considered an extended form of the name Tia.The name remained quite rare in the United States until a sudden rise in popularity around 1975. This increase is often attributed to the Vietnamese-American actress Tiana Alexandra (born 1956), who gained media exposure during that period. Her birth name, Thi Thanh Nga, was adapted to the English spelling Tiana. The name saw another significant surge after it was chosen for the protagonist in the 2009 Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog.Tiana also has roots in other cultures. In Madagascar, it is a unisex name meaning "love". Among Polynesian languages—such as Samoan, Māori, Tahitian, and Cook Island Māori—Tiana is used as a loanword form of Diana. In New Zealand, Tiana has been consistently among the most popular names for Māori girls in recent years.Notable bearers include Tiana Alexandra, Vietnamese-American actress and director; Tiana Canterbury, Australian netball player; and Tiana Gairns, Canadian Olympic track cyclist. The name also appears in two hit songs by the Jamaican reggae band Inner Circle: "Sweat (A La La La La Long)" and "Tiana".Etymology and VariantsThe name's etymology traces back to the Latin elements behind Tatiana (originally a Roman family name) and Christiana (derived from Christianus, meaning "follower of Christ"). Variants of Tiana include Tianna, as well as international cognates such as Tatiana (Russian, Italian, Spanish), Kristina (Swedish, Croatian), Tatsiana (Belarusian), and Hristina (Serbian). The Basque form Kistiñe and Bengali Taniya also stem from related roots.Meaning: Short form of Tatiana or Christiana; in Malagasy, "love"Origin: English diminutive, with cross-cultural usageType: Feminine given nameUsage regions: United States, New Zealand (especially Māori), Madagascar, Polynesia