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Anna

/AN-ə/

Anna is a girl name of Hebrew origin, meaning Grace, favour.

  • GenderGirl
  • OriginHebrew
  • StyleClassic
  • Syllables2
  • US rank#64

What does Anna mean?

Grace, favour

Anna is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew Channah, "grace". It is the parent of Anne, Ann, Annie, Anita, Nancy, Hanna and Nina.

The story behind the name

Anna appears in the Gospel of Luke as the prophetess who recognises the infant Jesus in the Temple. Christian tradition also gives the name to the mother of the Virgin Mary, Saint Anne, though she is not named in scripture.

Anna is one of the most widely used names in recorded European history, and it has the unusual property of being spelled identically in Italian, German, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Swedish and English.

Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Anne Frank's diary are among the most widely read books ever written, and both are attached to it.

Notable people named Anna

  • Anna the Prophetess
  • Anna Akhmatova, poet
  • Anna Karenina, Tolstoy's heroine
  • Anna Pavlova, ballerina

How popular is Anna?

Popularity in the United States

Anna has been given to 903,035 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1920s. It has held a steady level of use since.

About 1 in 474 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

07,84915,697188019502020
Babies named Anna per year in the United States, 1880–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Anna has been given to 121,954 babies in France since 1900, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

01,3052,609190019612022
Babies named Anna per year in France, 1900–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 44,906 people called Anna living in Spain, with an average age of 33.4.

903,035 Babies named since 1880
1920s Peak decade
Steady Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Ana, Anne, Hanna, Annie, Anya

Related names: Hannah, Anne, Annabel, Nina, Anouk

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Frequently asked questions about Anna

What does the name Anna mean?

Anna means Grace, favour. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Anna a boy's or a girl's name?

Anna is most often given to girls.

How do you pronounce Anna?

Anna is pronounced AN-ə.

How popular is the name Anna?

Anna has been given to 903,035 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 1920s. It has held a steady level of use since.

What are other spellings of Anna?

Common variants include Ana, Anne, Hanna, Annie, Anya.