Ayana (name)

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Ayana is a name used in several languages, including Amharic, Hebrew, Japanese, Kikongo, Oromo, and Turkic. Its meaning changes by culture:

- Amharic (Ethiopia): "beautiful flower"
- Hebrew: related to Maayan, meaning "fountain" or "spring"
- Japanese: a feminine given name; written with different kanji or in kana with varying meanings
- Kikongo (Bakongo): unisex; "they protected" or "they supported"
- Turkic languages: "moon mother" (ay = moon, ana = mother)

Ayana is found in northwest Angola, southwest Democratic Republic of Congo, and among the African diaspora in the Americas. Gender is generally female, though Kikongo usage can be unisex.