Inanna
Fact sheet
- Name
- Inanna
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 3
The first name Inanna has its roots in Sumerian mythology and refers to the goddess of the same name, who represents love, fertility, and war. The name is often interpreted as 'Lady of the Sky', 'Sky Goddess', or 'Queen of the Sky'.
What does the name Inanna mean?
Inanna is a female first name that originates from the Sumerian goddess of love, fertility, and war. Translated, the name means 'the Lady of the Sky', 'Sky Goddess', or 'Queen of the Sky'. Its origins can be found in Sumerian and Akkadian, consisting of the two components nin (𒎏), meaning 'the Lady', 'Mistress', 'Queen', 'Priestess', or 'Goddess', and an (𒀭), meaning 'the Sky'. Inanna is regarded as a powerful goddess of love in the Near East and was particularly revered in the Sumerian city of Uruk, but also gained recognition throughout Mesopotamia. It is even reported that King Solomon built a temple for her. In other cultures, she is worshipped as Astarte (Semitic), Ishtar (Babylonian), and Asherah. There are various spellings such as Innin, Innini, Inninna, Inana, and Ninanna.
Where does the name Inanna come from?
The name Inanna has Akkadian and Sumerian roots and carries the meaning 'the Lady of the Sky'.
How do you pronounce Inanna?
The pronunciation of Inanna is three syllables and symmetrical. The name is pronounced as 'I-nan-na' [iˈnana], with the bright initial letter I standing out and conveying clarity. The doubling of the 'n' in the middle provides a rhythmic flow. The repeated A sounds give the name an open and wide tonal quality. Inanna thus sounds both archaic and gentle, with a smooth and intense flow.
Popularity
In Germany, the first name Inanna has a certain level of prevalence. Currently, it ranks 4,045th on the list of the most common female first names. Its best placement was in 2023, when it reached 2,569th place. In the last ten years, Inanna has been used as a first name about 60 times, placing it 3,465th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, the name ranks 4,283rd.
Nicknames & pet names
Inana
Famous people
- Inanna Sarkas (Canadian actress)
- Inanna Sarkis (actress, singer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Inanna
What does the name Inanna mean?
Inanna is a female first name that originates from the Sumerian goddess of love, fertility, and war. The name means 'the Lady of the Sky' or 'Queen of the Sky'.
Where does the name Inanna come from?
The name Inanna has its roots in Akkadian and Sumerian, consisting of the components nin for 'the Lady' and an for 'the Sky'.
How popular is the name Inanna?
Inanna is a rather rare but historically and culturally significant name that is gaining increasing interest in modern times, particularly due to its mythological and historical associations.