Anna means “favour” or “grace” and is the Latin form of the Hebrew name Hannah. Parents exploring traditional baby name meanings often choose this classic name for its gentle sound and clear simplicity.
Meaning and Origin
Anna is a feminine given name with roots extending back to antiquity. It originated as the Latin form of the Hebrew name Hannah, which carries the primary meaning of “favour” or “grace.” In Hebrew linguistic history, the name stems from the root word חַנָּה (ḥannâ), which conveys the qualities of being “grace, gracious, graced with child.” In the Hebrew Bible, this name belonged to the mother of Samuel, rendered as Ἄννα in Greek, Hannah in English, and Anna in Latin.
The Greek spelling Ἄννα (Ánna) also features prominently in early religious accounts, appearing in the narrative of Anna the Prophetess. In the Latin Vulgate, this figure is mentioned as Anne the Prophetess. Late Latin Anna subsequently spread both directly and through numerous other languages, largely in reference to St Anne, the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus.
Beyond personal naming traditions, Anna has notable geographical and artistic associations. In the United States, Anna is an established city in Illinois, named for Anna Davie, the wife of one of the initial settlers. The name also appeared in William Ernest Henley’s work, “A Ballade of Ladies’ Names,” featured in Gleeson White’s collection “Ballades and Rondeaus.”
Pronunciation
In standard American English, Anna is pronounced in two syllables as AN-uh. The primary accent falls on the first syllable, which rhymes with “can” or “plan.” The second syllable is softer, rhyming with “duh.” Some speakers prefer the alternate pronunciation AH-nuh, in which the opening syllable rhymes with “bra” or “spa.”
Popularity in the United States
In official Social Security reporting, the name Anna first appears in 1880, which was also its peak year at rank number 2. The name is most often given to girls, with 914,859 US girls given the name in total since 1880. By 1950, Anna held rank number 93 with 3,815 babies, and it rose to rank number 55 in 1980 with 5,038 babies. The name climbed further by 2000 to reach rank number 22 with 10,613 babies, before easing slightly to rank number 27 in 2010 with 6,336 babies. In 2020, it stood at rank number 68 with 3,511 babies, and in 2025, it reached rank number 107 with 2,521 babies.
| Year | US rank (girls) | Babies named Anna |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #93 | 3,815 |
| 1980 | #55 | 5,038 |
| 2000 | #22 | 10,613 |
| 2010 | #27 | 6,336 |
| 2020 | #68 | 3,511 |
| 2025 | #107 | 2,521 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames
Because Anna is already a compact name, pet forms often add affectionate endings. Common short forms include Annie and Anny, alongside traditional household shortenings like Nan and Nana. The concise doublet Ann and the Latinate doublet Ana also share this heritage as closely connected forms.
Famous People Named Anna
- Anna Kendrick: An American actress and singer who earned an Academy Award nomination for her work in the film “Up in the Air” and starred as Beca Mitchell in the “Pitch Perfect” movies.
- Anna Pavlova: A celebrated Russian prima ballerina who gained international fame for creating the iconic solo role in “The Dying Swan.”
- Anna Wintour: A prominent British-American fashion journalist and media executive who serves as artistic director for Condé Nast and editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine.
Middle and Sibling Names
Popular middle names that pair smoothly with Anna include Rose, Marie, Claire, Grace, Jane, Ruth, and Elizabeth.
For siblings, complementary matches include Joshua, Lee, Cameron, Michelle, Aiden, and Hazel.
FAQ
Which root words give Anna its meaning?
Anna stems from the ancient Hebrew root word חַנָּה (ḥannâ), which translates to “grace, gracious, graced with child.” That underlying root gave rise to the Hebrew name Hannah, which carries the meaning of “favour” or “grace.” Koine Greek adopted the name as Ἄννα, which subsequently passed into Late Latin as Anna.
When did Anna first enter official United States naming figures?
Anna first entered official United States naming figures in 1880. During that opening year of national reporting, the name reached rank number 2, which remains its highest peak position on national charts.
How many American girls have received the name Anna in total?
A total of 914,859 girls in the United States have received the name Anna since 1880. That high overall count places it among the most widely chosen female names in American history.
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