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SunJan 26

National Diane Day – January 26, 2025

National Diana Day is marked every January 26. Diane is a Latin-derived feminine name. This exquisite name was first popular in the mid-20th century and is derived from the word ‘divinus,’ which means ‘divine.’ Diane is a French variant of Diana and an old English surname derived from the word ‘denu,’ which means ‘valley.’ Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon and the countryside. Diane is a great choice to reflect divinity and nature’s beauty, with so many areas of inspiration for baby girls.

History of National Diane Day

Diane is a feminine name with a French origin that means ‘divine.’ It’s the French translation of Diana. The middle-aged version of Diane, like Joanne and Christine, has been overshadowed by the ‘a-ending’ form of her name. Diane has a certain mid-century vibe — from 1946 through 1959, it was a top 20 name. Even though it has several notable bearers, like Diane Sawyer, Keaton, von Furstenberg, Lane, Arbus, Kruger, and Farr, it is now rarely used for babies.

The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name, Diane. Their name comes from the fact that they used to reside in a valley. The name derives from the Old English word ‘denu,’ which means ‘valley.’ Another source believes the name is Norman, citing two listings in the Latin version of the name in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae between 1180 and 1195 — William and Godfrey Decanus of Normandy.

The surname Diane was first recorded in Sussex when Ralph Dene had manor and lands. This name has two main distribution areas — one in Cheshire, Staffordshire, and the surrounding counties; and the other in the south of England, particularly Wiltshire and the counties close by. The name was spread by the time of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, possibly referring to the aforementioned occupational origin. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 also mentioned people from northern England bearing this name.

National Diane Day timeline

1180
The Latin Version of Diane

The Latin version of the name is found in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normannia.

1273
The Hundredorum Rolls

The name Diane is spread by the time of the Hundredorum Rolls.

1379
The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 contains the name, Diane.

1946
The Popular Mid-Century Name

Diane is a popular mid-century name, making the top 20 baby names of the time.

National Diane Day FAQs

Who is the most famous Diane?

It’s Hillary Diane Clinton.

Is there a movie named “Diane?”

Yes, there is a 2018 American film titled “Diane.”

What does the name Diane mean biblically?

Diane’s name meanings, in the Bible, is of the divine, in mythology, goddess of the moon and the hunt.

National Diane Day Activities

  1. Eat lots of cake

    In honor of your naming day, bake a cake, cookies, or a special delicacy. If you’re doing this for a friend or family member, allow the individual to pick the treat and enjoy the first bite. As you cut it, sing ‘God Grant You Many Years.’

  2. Call your godparents

    Talking with your child's godparents on their name day is another good ritual. If you don’t have kids, you can try to call your godparents and just catch up on lost time.

  3. Take a solo trip

    Solo travel can lead to many discoveries, so plan towards taking a trip on your name day. Visit new places and make new memories to share with the world.

5 Interesting Facts About The Name Diane

  1. It’s a rare name

    Diane was number 2,473 most popular girl name in the U.S. in 2018.

  2. It’s the lowest recorded names

    The lowest number of infants named Diane in any given year was less than five.

  3. It was increasing in popularity

    In 1898, Diane became increasingly popular as a girl's name.

  4. The 2020 name stats

    Diane is the name of one out of every 23,347 newborn girls born in 2020.

  5. “The Bold and the Beautiful”

    American actress and singer Bobbie Diane Eakes, best known for "The Bold and the Beautiful," has been nominated for two "Daytime Emmy Awards" and four "Soap Opera Digest Awards."

Why We Love National Diane Day

  1. It helps identify people

    Churches and governments utilize name days to determine which names are acceptable or not. Names are a distinctive way to identify someone in addition to physical traits.

  2. It gives people a sense of importance

    Celebrating someone's name might help them feel special and happy. They might be able to appreciate their names and themselves more because of this.

  3. It’s a fun activity

    Participating in this pastime is a lot of fun. It's similar to getting a makeover for your birthday or celebrating a birthday before your actual birthday. The main point is that this day is enjoyable.

National Diane Day dates

YearDateDay
2025January 26Sunday
2026January 26Monday
2027January 26Tuesday
2028January 26Wednesday
2029January 26Friday

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