Anastasia means “resurrection” and is a feminine name of Greek origin. It also carries the meaning of “she of the resurrection” as the female form of the male name Anastasius. Parents who search for historic selections in a baby name meaning directory often choose Anastasia for its melodious rhythm, classical roots, and graceful presence.
Anastasia Meaning and Origin
Anastasia derives from the Greek word anástasis (ἀνάστασις), meaning “resurrection.” It was established as the female form, written in Greek as Ἀναστασία, of the male name Anastasius (Greek: Ἀναστάσιος Anastasios, pronounced [anaˈstasi.os]). Together, both forms carry the meaning of “she/he of the resurrection.”
The name Anastasia originated during the early days of Christianity and was given to a few Greek girls and men born in December and around Easter. In Ancient Greek tradition, the name and its male counterpart Anastasius were originally given to children who were born around Eastertime during the early years of Christianity.
Anastasia is also the name of several early saints. These include Anastasia of Sirmium, a central saint from the third century who is commemorated during the first Mass on Christmas Dawn each year according to the traditional calendar of the Catholic Church and on December 22 according to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Wiktionary notes that the name comes from the name of a fourth-century martyr. Today, it remains a popular name in Eastern Europe.
Pronunciation of Anastasia
In American English, Anastasia is most often pronounced as ah-nuh-STAY-zhuh or ah-nuh-STAH-zee-uh. A traditional four-syllable pronunciation is ah-nuh-STAY-shuh.
To break down the sounds, the first syllable rhymes with spa. The second syllable rhymes with duh. The accented third syllable rhymes with stay or day. The closing syllable rhymes with the ending of Asia.
Popularity in the United States
In the United States, Anastasia is most often given to girls and first appeared in 1880. The name saw steady use throughout the twentieth century, with 39 babies at rank 1,474 in 1950 before climbing to 226 babies at rank 735 in 1980. Adoption expanded rapidly by the turn of the century, when 1,027 baby girls received the name at rank 309 in 2000, followed by 878 babies at rank 365 in 2010. Anastasia achieved its peak rank in 2018 when it reached number 147. Recent tallies show sustained favor, with 1,766 babies at rank 158 in 2020 and 1,832 babies at rank 163 in 2025. Across all years since 1880, a total of 57,140 US girls have received the name.
| Year | US rank (girls) | Babies named Anastasia |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #1,474 | 39 |
| 1980 | #735 | 226 |
| 2000 | #309 | 1,027 |
| 2010 | #365 | 878 |
| 2020 | #158 | 1,766 |
| 2025 | #163 | 1,832 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames for Anastasia
Anastasia offers many friendly short options for everyday use. Popular English nicknames created from the syllables of the name itself include:
- Ana
- Stasia
- Stacy
- Anya
- Tasia
- Sia
Traditional Slavic diminutives include Nastya, Nastia, or Nastja in Serbian and Slovenian. Slavic hypocoristics also encompass affectionate pet forms such as Nastenka, Nastyusha, Nastyona, Nastasia, and Nastunja.
Famous People Named Anastasia
Several prominent historical and modern individuals have carried the name Anastasia:
- Anastasia of Sirmium: A Christian saint and martyr from the third century who is commemorated during Christmas and December services.
- Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia: The youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, remembered as a member of the Russian imperial family.
- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: An internationally ranked professional tennis player who won an Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles.
Middle and Sibling Names
Popular middle names that pair gracefully with Anastasia include Rose, Celeste, Grace, Claire, and Marie.
Well-matched sibling names for brothers and sisters include Theo, Jacob, Alina, and Eric.
FAQ
Which Greek root word gives Anastasia its meaning?
Anastasia derives from the Greek word anástasis (ἀνάστασις), meaning resurrection. This root word also established the masculine name Anastasius, both translating to she or he of the resurrection during early Christianity.
In what year did Anastasia first appear in official United States tallies?
Anastasia first appeared in official United States birth counts in 1880. That year represents the earliest entry for newborn American girls receiving the name.
How many American girls have received the name Anastasia in total?
A total of 57,140 US girls have been given the name Anastasia since 1880. This sum accounts for every American girl given the name across more than a century.
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