Dana

Dana

Dana ♀, ♂ Mainly North American: of unknown origin, perhaps a transferred use of a surname that is fairly common in the United States. This may be of Irish origin, although the surname is not known in Ireland. Dana or Ana was the name of an ancient Irish fertility goddess, and this was also used in medieval times as a girl's name, However, it is not clear whether there is any connection between this name and the modern given name, which is sometimes also used as a feminine form of Dan or Daniel. Modern use as a boy's given name began in honour of Richard Henry Dana (1815–82), author of Two Years before the Mast, who supported the rights of fugitive slaves before and during the Civil War. The popularity of the given name was increased by the fame of the film star Dana Andrews (1909–92).

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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Dana." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Dana." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Dana.html

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Dana." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Dana.html

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Dana

Dana

In Celtic* mythology, Danu (also known as Dana, Anu, and Don) is a fertility goddess and mother of the Tuatha Dé Danaan, a group of Irish gods. The worship of Danu originated in eastern Europe, and because she was associated with rivers, many European rivers carry versions of her name, including the Danube, the Don, and the Dnieper.



deity god or goddess

Some scholars believe that the Tuatha Dé Danaan were gods of the people who inhabited Ireland before the Celts. When these deities were defeated by another group, the Sons of Mil, they went to live underground. Each god received a personal domain, and the group eventually became known as "the little people" of Irish fairy stories.

See also Celtic Mythology.

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"Dana." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Dana." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900153.html

"Dana." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900153.html

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Dāna

Dāna (Pāli, ‘gift’). In Indian religions, a gift, especially for a religious purpose. In Buddhism, it is an act of generosity to any creature, but more usually a particular gift to a bhikṣu or to the saṇgha, bringing merit to the giver (or transferring that merit to others). In origin, it may have deliberately replaced the Hindu dakṣinā offered to brahmans officiating at sacrifices. Dāna is one of the Six Perfections (Pāramitā), one of the Ten Contemplations (anussati), and one of the most important works of merit (puṇya).

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JOHN BOWKER. "Dāna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Dāna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Dna.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Dāna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Dna.html

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dāna

dāna (Skt.; Pāli). Generosity, a key Buddhist virtue which is both a source of great merit (puṇya) and also instrumental in overcoming selfishness and attachment. In Theravādin contexts, it connotes the giving of alms by lay-people to monks, while in Mahāyāna it usually refers to the Perfection of Generosity (dāna-pāramitā). A particularly worthy recipient of a gift is known as a ‘field of merit’ (puṇya-kṣetra).

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "dāna." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "dāna." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-dna.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "dāna." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-dna.html

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Dana

Dana. See ANA; DANU; DÔN.

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JAMES MacKILLOP. "Dana." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES MacKILLOP. "Dana." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Dana.html

JAMES MacKILLOP. "Dana." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Dana.html

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Dana

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"Dana." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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