"grace, favor"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Ana
Pronunciation: [ AHN-uh ]
Does Ana flow with your last name?
Grace in two syllables, beloved across continents
Spanish
Portuguese
Romanian
Slavic
English
Classic
Elegant
Gentle
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames for Ana
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Meaning & Origin
"prayer"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Ana
Ana is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna, itself derived from the Hebrew name Hannah (Channah), meaning 'grace' or 'favor'. Hannah appears in the Old Testament as the mother of the prophet Samuel, a woman of deep faith who prayed for a child. The name spread through Europe via Saint Anne, traditionally the mother of the Virgin Mary, making Ana a beloved name in Catholic cultures worldwide.
Ana has been consistently popular in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries for centuries. As Latin American immigrants brought naming traditions to the United States, Ana became a common alternative to Anna, and it remains a timeless choice in bilingual families for its easy pronunciation across languages.
In Hispanic cultures, Ana is often used in compound names like Ana María or Ana Sofía. In Eastern European traditions, the feast day of Saint Anne (Ana) on July 26th remains an important naming day, and many women named Ana celebrate their name day.
Historical Record
Ana first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 106,548 babies have been named Ana in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ana is a steady classic , currently ranked #204 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ana is among the top 5 most common female names in Portugal and several Latin American countries
- Saint Anne's feast day (July 26) is a naming day celebrated across Catholic Europe
- The name Hannah/Ana appears multiple times in both the Old and New Testament
Ana in Other Languages
Arabic
حَنَّة (Hannah)
Hebrew
חַנָּה (Hannah)
Chinese
安娜 (Ānnà)
Russian
Анна (Anna)
Japanese
アナ
Popularity Over Time
#204
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ana
A
A
A
Ana (Saint Anne)
Religious
Traditional mother of the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition, patron saint of mothers and grandmothers
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Compare Ana with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #204
- Total SSA Count
- 1,497
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Portuguese Romanian Slavic English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Annie
Ani
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ana
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ana is also used as a boy name, ranked #31162.
View Ana as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ana
What does the name Ana mean?
"grace, favor" (from Hebrew). "prayer" (from Hebrew). Ana is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna, itself derived from the Hebrew name Hannah (Channah), meaning 'grace' or 'favor'. Hannah appears in the Old Testament as the mother of the prophet Samuel, a woman of deep faith who prayed for a child. The name spread through Europe via Saint Anne, traditionally the mother of the Virgin Mary, making Ana a beloved name in Catholic cultures worldwide.
What is the origin of the name Ana?
Ana has Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slavic, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "grace, favor". In Hebrew, it means "prayer".
Is Ana a boy or girl name?
Ana is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #204. As a boy name, it is ranked #31162. Ana is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ana?
Ana is pronounced AHN-uh.
How popular is the name Ana?
Ana is currently ranked #204 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ana?
Common nicknames for Ana include Annie and Ani.
What are good middle names for Ana?
Popular middle name pairings include Ana Maria, Ana Sofia, Ana Grace, Ana Claire, Ana Lucia, Ana Rose, and Ana Isabel.
What are good sibling names for Ana?
Names that pair well with Ana as siblings include Sofia, Isabella, Elena, Marco, Mateo, and Luis.
How many syllables does Ana have?
Ana has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ana a common or rare name?
Ana is a popular name, ranked #204 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Ana?
About the Name Ana
Ana is a girl name with Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slavic, and English origins . The name means "grace, favor" in Hebrew .
Is Ana a boy or girl name? Ana is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #204 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,162. Ana is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ana is currently ranked #204 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ana has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ana include Annie and Ani. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ana include Anastasia, Anaya, Anahi, Analia, Anais . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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