What Does the Name Svetlana Mean?
Svetlana is a girl's name of Russian origin meaning “"light".”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Svetlana |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Russian |
| Meaning | "light" |
| Variants | Sveta, Svitlana, Lana |
| Popularity | A classic and very common name in Russia, Ukraine, and other Slavic countries throughout the 20th century. |
The meaning and origin of Svetlana
The name Svetlana means “"light"” and has Russian origins. Derived from Russian свет (svet) meaning "light, world." It was popularized by Vasily Zhukovsky's 1813 poem "Svetlana" and became a widespread name across the Russian-speaking and Slavic world.
Variants and related names
Svetlana is related to several other names you may recognize: Sveta, Svitlana, Lana. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Svetlana?
A classic and very common name in Russia, Ukraine, and other Slavic countries throughout the 20th century.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Svetlana mean?+
The name Svetlana means “"light"” and is of Russian origin.
What is the origin of the name Svetlana?+
Svetlana originates from Russian.
Is Svetlana a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Svetlana has trended in the US over time.
Svetlana by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press