Oriana

This name also has Spanish roots.

Oriana is primarily a female given name, widespread, even if not very common, in European languages. Its etymological origins are probably mixed. On the one hand there seems to be the Celtic Irish meaning of Blond or Golden, on the other hand there is the Latin meaning of Rising (as in Sunrise; see a similar word root in Orient). There seems to be a connection between these two origins, given that the root Ori may be an Indo-European root referring to the rising or colour of the Sun. Things get even more complicated as in the languages of the Iberian peninsula, namely Spanish and Portuguese, there is the medieval Oroana or Ouroana, from Oro or Ouro meaning Gold, whose origin is the Latin Aurum, and whose root, Aur, may be related to Ori. Variants include Orianna, Oriane or Orianne. Sometimes Orian or Dorian may be a male given name or a Family name, as in the case of Orian, Orians, Dorian or Doria.

Oriana is the blending of the word 'Or' (meaning gold) and the name 'Ana'.

I have researched this name as being Old World Gaelic meaning 'Golden Dawn' and not just 'gold'. That's why we named our last daughter this, because of that meaning. *smile*

"Oriana" was also a poetic title for Queen Elizabeth I, used in madrigal texts praising her power and beauty.