Vanna (pronounced in Italian vän'-na and in English väh'na) is a female first name that first appeared in recorded history circa 1294. The Italian medieval name originated in Tuscany, and is particular to Florence, Italy. Though similar in pronunciation to the name Giovanna, and conjectured to be derived from it, Vanna is neither a nickname nor a derivation. It is similar to the first name Ivanna.
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The name Vanna first appeared in recorded history in La Vita Nuova, a thirteenth century book of verse written by Dante Alighieri, an Italian Florentine poet. In one verse, Dante writes that personified Love proclaims Vanna is 'Primavera' (Springtime), and declares that Beatrice's name is Love itself.
The Italian origin of the name is thought to be derived from the Latin vanno (vaglia), meaning "she who sifts" (or assesses).[1] It is also considered a feminine form of the name Van, short for Evan, meaning Youth.
The Italian Name day is July 23, in memory of the Blessed Vanna of Orvieto, who died in 1306.
"Vanna, Mandetta, Viera, Alodetta, Picarda, Manuela / From the red gleam of copper, [...] O Queen of Cypress, / Out of Erebus, out of the flat waste of air, lying beneath the world; / Out of the brown leaf-brown colourless / Bring the imperceptible cool." [3]
" ... when I, to my surprise, / saw lady Vanna and lady Beatrice / coming towards me, where I still was standing - / one bliss pursuing still another bliss. / And - here is what I am reminded of - / Love said "The first is Springtime, but the second / resembles me so much, her name is Love."