Rana
A surname with several possible roots, most commonly a South Asian name tied to rank or rulership, though in some places it can also be a nickname or other local formation.
The #4,923 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 43,211 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Rana has more than one possible origin, so its meaning depends on the family and region. In South Asia it is often linked with Sanskrit/Indic usage, where it can be associated with a ruler, leader, or warrior title. In European sources, the same spelling can also appear as a nickname or as a word meaning "frog" in some Romance-language traditions, but those are separate developments rather than one single origin.
History
The spelling Rana is well known in South Asia, especially as a hereditary title and surname among ruling or martial families. It also appears independently in parts of Europe as a surname or byname, showing that identical spellings can arise from unrelated roots. Because the form is widespread and multilingual, any one family named Rana may have a different history from another.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same surname spelling can hide completely different etymologies: in one tradition it may suggest rank, while in another it may simply be a nickname or local word.
From the historical record
“Rmnp- 8. Hrom (V., zweist E.). Runsehöttel s. Reumschüssel. RÜX I. got. rana, ahd. rüna, mhd, rune „Geheimnis, geheime Weisheit** (vgl. „Runen" und das nhd. „raunen"). FN. Runger: Ronniger, Runhard: Rönnert. Runheri : Rohner — Ronner — Röh-”
— Die deutschen Familiennamen