Alanah is a spelling of Alana, the feminine form of Alan, a Celtic name of uncertain origin usually explained as "little rock" or "handsome"; the Hawaiian Alana, "awakening", and the Irish endearment a leanbh, "child", are often folded into the same name. The h ending follows the pattern of Hannah and Savannah. Alanah ranked number 2123 in 2000, peaked at number 1136 in 2012 and has eased to number 2648 in 2025 with 65 girls.