"grace, favor"
Origin: Hebrew (Hannah)
Language: English
Anna
Pronunciation: [ AN-uh ]
Does Anna flow with your last name?
Two syllables of pure grace, beloved across every culture
English
German
Scandinavian
Russian
Italian
Spanish
Classic
Elegant
Traditional
Gentle
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Anna
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Anna
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"full of grace"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"grace, favor"
Origin: Hebrew Channah
Language: Hebrew
"prayer, wish"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Anna
See all →What the Anna report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Anna the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Anna
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Anna head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Anna actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Anna
Anna is the Latinate form of Hannah, from the Hebrew name Channah meaning grace or favor. It was the name of the mother of the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition, though she appears only in apocryphal texts. The Latin form Anna spread throughout Europe via the Catholic Church and has been one of the most universally used names across cultures for two thousand years.
Anna has been continuously popular for centuries without ever falling out of fashion. In the modern era, Disney's Frozen (2013) reignited interest with a beloved protagonist named Anna, introducing the name to a new generation of parents and children.
Anna is one of the most cross-culturally stable names in history, used identically or in near-identical forms in dozens of languages. In Russian culture, Anna is particularly beloved, associated with Tolstoys heroine Anna Karenina and the martyred Grand Duchess Anastasia.
Historical Record
Anna first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 413,142 babies have been named Anna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Anna is past its peak , currently ranked #94 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Anna has been used as a name in virtually every European culture for at least 1,500 years
- Frozen (2013) made Anna one of the top baby names the year of its release
- Saint Anne is the mother of the Virgin Mary in Catholic tradition, giving the name deep religious significance
Anna in Other Languages
Greek
Anna
Arabic
Hana
French
Anne
German
Anna
Hebrew
Channah
Italian
Anna
Russian
Anna
Spanish
Ana
Popularity Over Time
#94
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2001
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Anna
A
Anna Kournikova
Athlete
1981
Russian professional tennis player and model who reached World No. 8 in doubles
A
Anna Wintour
Business
1949
Long-serving Editor-in-Chief of Vogue magazine and global fashion icon
A
Anna Pavlova
Entertainer
1881
Legendary Russian prima ballerina, one of the most famous ballet dancers in history
A
Anna Karenina Fictional
Other
1877
Tragic protagonist of Leo Tolstoys 1878 masterpiece, one of literatures most famous characters
A
Anna (Frozen) Fictional
Other
Plucky princess protagonist of Disneys Frozen, Elsas younger sister
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Lennon
Girl
"descendant of Leannán"
#236
Collins
Girl
"descendant of the young warrior"
#257
Ava
Girl
"life, living"
#9
Maria
Girl
"drop of the sea"
#74
Juliana
Girl
"of the Julian family"
#251
Compare Anna with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #94
- Total SSA Count
- 2,700
- Cultural Origins
- English German Scandinavian Russian Italian Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Annie
Ann
Nan
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Anna
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Anna fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Anna is also used as a boy name, ranked #19686.
View Anna as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Anna →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Anna with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Anna
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Anna and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Anna sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Lennon
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"descendant of Leannán"
#236 in US
Collins
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"descendant of the young warrior"
#257 in US
Ava
Girl
Hebrew (via Eva) origin
"life, living"
#9 in US
Maria
Girl
Hebrew origin
"drop of the sea"
#74 in US
Juliana
Girl
Latin gens Julia origin
"of the Julian family"
#251 in US
Gianna
Girl
Italian origin
"God is gracious"
#23 in US
Valentina
Girl
Latin origin
"worthy, powerful"
#47 in US
Diana
Girl
Latin origin
"divine, heavenly"
#243 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Anna's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anna
What does the name Anna mean?
"grace, favor" (from Hebrew (Hannah)). "full of grace" (from Latin). "grace, favor" (from Hebrew Channah). "prayer, wish" (from Hebrew). Anna is the Latinate form of Hannah, from the Hebrew name Channah meaning grace or favor. It was the name of the mother of the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition, though she appears only in apocryphal texts. The Latin form Anna spread throughout Europe via the Catholic Church and has been one of the most universally used names across cultures for two thousand years.
What is the origin of the name Anna?
Anna has Hebrew (Hannah), Latin, Hebrew Channah, Hebrew, English, German, Scandinavian, Russian, Italian, and Spanish origins. In Hebrew (Hannah), it means "grace, favor". In Latin, it means "full of grace". In Hebrew Channah, it means "grace, favor". In Hebrew, it means "prayer, wish".
Is Anna a boy or girl name?
Anna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #94. As a boy name, it is ranked #19686. Anna is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Anna?
Anna is pronounced AN-uh.
How popular is the name Anna?
Anna is currently ranked #94 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Anna?
Common nicknames for Anna include Annie, Ann, and Nan.
What are good middle names for Anna?
Popular middle name pairings include Anna Grace, Anna Marie, Anna Louise, Anna Elizabeth, Anna Rose, Anna Claire, and Anna Jane.
What are good sibling names for Anna?
Names that pair well with Anna as siblings include Elsa, Emma, Charlotte, Sophia, James, Henry, and William.
How many syllables does Anna have?
Anna has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Anna a common or rare name?
Anna is a very popular name, ranked #94 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Anna?
About the Name Anna
Anna is a girl name with English, German, Scandinavian, Russian, Italian, and Spanish origins . The name means "grace, favor" in Hebrew (Hannah) .
Is Anna a boy or girl name? Anna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #94 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,686. Anna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Anna is currently ranked #94 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Anna has 2 syllables and is pronounced AN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Anna include Annie, Ann, and Nan. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Anna include Annie, Annabelle, Annalise, Anne, Annika . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew (Hannah) Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Anna
Classic Names
Well-known names that stand the test of time
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis