Anna Name Meaning
Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Anna.Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah ScottAre you seeking a traditionally feminine name that is consistently popular in the English-speaking world and beyond? Anna might be the name you are looking for.The name Anna comes to us from the Hebrew word חַנָּה (Ḥannāh or Chanah), meaning “grace” or “favor.” The ancient Romans also used Anna as a name meaning “the year’s cycle.” Origin: When the Old Testament was translated from Hebrew into Greek, the name Hannah was rendered as Ἄννα (Hanna), which was then Latinized as Anna.Gender: Anna is traditionally a feminine name. While boys have been named Anna, it is relatively rare.Pronunciation: ANN-a
Editor's NoteAlthough baby names are often separated by gender, Parents believes that sex need not play any role in your name selection process. It’s important to select the name that you feel best suits your new baby.
How Popular Is the Name Anna?Anna has consistently ranked among the top 100 baby names for girls in America since 1972, peaking at No. 19 in the year 2001. In 2023, Anna ranked as the No. 79 girl's name in the US.The name was even more popular a century ago, ranking among the top 10 girl names in America from 1880 to 1920. From 1880 to 1899, Anna was the second most popular name for girls in the US, the most popular being Mary. Anna dipped in popularity in the 1950s and 60s but rose again in the 70s and 80s.The name Anna was occasionally used for boys in the early part of the 20th century, but from 1930 to the present, this has been quite uncommon.
Related: 50 Hebrew Baby Names
Name VariationsThe name Anne was originally a French version of Anna, and Ann an English spelling of Anne, but all three of these are now widely used in the English-speaking world. Also very common is the Spanish and Portuguese spelling Ana.Some other common forms:Anča (Romanian)Anikó (Hungarian)Ane (Danish)Aneta (Czech)Anka (Polish)Ania (Russian)Anita (Portuguese)Annica (Swedish)Annuka (Finnish)Anouk (Dutch)Chanah (Hebrew)Hajna (Hungarian)Hanna (German)Many names have also developed based on diminutive forms of Anna/Ana, including:Anita (Spanish)Anja (Danish)Anka (Russian)Annetta (Italian)Annette (French)Annie (English)Annika (Swedish)Similar NamesAnna has also been mashed up or combined with other names, either with Anna/Ana at the beginning (such as Anabel/Anabelle/Annabelle, Annalee/Annaleigh, or Ana Maria/Annemarie) or at the end (such as Julianna/Julianne, Mariana/Marianne/Maryanne, Pollyanna/Pollyanne, or Rosanna/Roseanne).More classic, traditionally feminine names:ClaraDorothyElizabethEmmaGraceHelenLilyMargaretRoseMore girl names starting with "A" include:AbigailAlexandraAliceAmeliaAndreaAshleyAudreyAuroraAverySuggested Sibling NamesPotential names to pair with Anna are:AdamArthurCarolynDeborahHenryJamesMaryMatthewRuthSashaThomasFamous People Named AnnaAs a popular name, Anna is common among famous figures.Historical AnnasAnna of Hohenstaufen (1230–1307), Empress of NicaeaAnna of Austria (1528–1590), daughter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman EmperorAnna of Austria, Queen of Spain (1549–1580), Queen consort of Spain, wife of Philip IIAnne of Austria, Queen of Poland (1573–1598), Queen consort of Poland and Sweden, wife of Sigismund III VasaAnna of Tyrol (1585–1618), Holy Roman EmpressAnna de' Medici, Archduchess of Austria (1616–1676), Italian noble, Austrian royal consortAnna of Russia (1693–1740), Empress of RussiaAnna Pavlovna of Russia (1795–1865), Queen consort of the Netherlands, wife of William IIModern AnnasAnna Mae Bullock, American singer better known as Tina TurnerAnna Faris, American actress known for starring in the Scary Movie film seriesAnna Freud (1895–1982), English psychoanalyst, the daughter of Sigmund FreudAnna Gardner (1816–1901), American abolitionist, teacher, and poetAnna Kendrick, American film and stage actress known for her roles in the Twilight and Pitch Perfect film seriesAnna Kournikova, Russian tennis playerAnna Harriette Leonowens (1831–1915), English travel writer and educator whose memoir was the basis for the musical The King and IAnna Margaret Collins, American singer-songwriter and actress known for her work on the soundtrack for the Disney Channel movie StarstruckAnna Paquin, Canadian-born New Zealand actress known for her roles in the X-Men film series and the HBO TV series True BloodAnna Rutgers van der Loeff (1910–1990), Dutch writer, author of the novels Children on the Oregon Trail and Avalanche!Anna Schwartz (1915–2012), American economist and writer who worked at the National Bureau of Economic Research and contributed to The New York TimesAnna Nicole Smith (1967–2007), American model and actress who was the subject of the reality program The Anna Nicole ShowAnna Wise, Grammy Award-winning American singer known for her collaboration with rapper Kendrick LamarFictional AnnasAnna, the sister of Queen Dido in Virgil’s AeneidAnna, Princess of Arendelle, a main character in Disney’s Frozen film seriesAnna Karenina, the title character in an 1878 novel by Leo Tolstoy More Baby NamesStill searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:Top 1,000 Baby Girl Names53 Royal Baby NamesHow To Create a Unique Baby Name
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