"grace, favor"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Ann
Pronunciation: [ AN ]
Does Ann flow with your last name?
One of history's most enduring names — pure and timeless
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Meaning & Origin
"God has favored me"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Ann
Ann is the English form of Anna, derived from the Hebrew Channah meaning grace or God has favored me. Hannah was the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Hebrew Bible — a woman who prayed earnestly for a child and dedicated him to God's service. The name passed through Greek and Latin as Anna before becoming Anne and Ann in English, one of the oldest continuously used names in the Western world.
Ann and Anne were among the most common women's names in English-speaking countries from the medieval period through the mid-20th century. Two of Henry VIII's wives bore the name, as did multiple English queens, cementing its royal pedigree. Today Ann is more common as a middle name — a quiet grace note to more elaborate first names.
Saint Anne is traditionally the mother of the Virgin Mary, making her the grandmother of Jesus — she is venerated on July 26 in Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery made Ann synonymous with plucky literary girlhood. The name's simplicity gives it a quiet enduring power.
Historical Record
Ann first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 223,136 babies have been named Ann in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ann is past its peak , currently ranked #1,144 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, is one of the most venerated saints in Christendom — yet she is not mentioned by name in the Bible
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1908) made Ann synonymous with spirited Canadian literary girlhood
- Ann was a top-10 name in the US for most of the 20th century from the 1910s through the 1960s
Ann in Other Languages
Arabic
Anna
French
Anne
German
Anna
Russian
Anna
Spanish
Ana
Popularity Over Time
#1,144
Current Rank
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ann
A
Ann Richards
Politician
1933
45th Governor of Texas known for her sharp wit, white hair, and progressive politics
A
Anne Frank
Writer
1929
German-born Jewish diarist whose diary written in hiding during WWII is one of the most-read books in the world
A
Anne Shirley Fictional
Other
The spirited red-haired orphan protagonist of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series, who insists on Anne spelled...
The spirited red-haired orphan protagonist of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series, who insists on Anne spelled with an e
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Compare Ann with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,144
- Total SSA Count
- 211
- Cultural Origins
- English French Scandinavian Latin
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Annie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ann
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ann is also used as a boy name, ranked #17189.
View Ann as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ann
What does the name Ann mean?
"grace, favor" (from Hebrew). "God has favored me" (from Hebrew). Ann is the English form of Anna, derived from the Hebrew Channah meaning grace or God has favored me. Hannah was the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Hebrew Bible — a woman who prayed earnestly for a child and dedicated him to God's service. The name passed through Greek and Latin as Anna before becoming Anne and Ann in English, one of the oldest continuously used names in the Western world.
What is the origin of the name Ann?
Ann has Hebrew, English, French, Scandinavian, and Latin origins. In Hebrew, it means "grace, favor". In Hebrew, it means "God has favored me".
Is Ann a boy or girl name?
Ann is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1144. As a boy name, it is ranked #17189. Ann is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ann?
Ann is pronounced AN.
How popular is the name Ann?
Ann is currently ranked #1144 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ann?
Common nicknames for Ann include Annie.
What are good middle names for Ann?
Popular middle name pairings include Ann Marie, Ann Elizabeth, Ann Louise, Ann Grace, Ann Margaret, Ann Claire, and Ann Catherine.
What are good sibling names for Ann?
Names that pair well with Ann as siblings include Mary, Jane, Ruth, George, William, Charles, and Margaret.
How many syllables does Ann have?
Ann has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ann a common or rare name?
Ann is an uncommon name, ranked #1144 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Ann?
About the Name Ann
Ann is a girl name with English, French, Scandinavian, and Latin origins . The name means "grace, favor" in Hebrew .
Is Ann a boy or girl name? Ann is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,144 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #17,189. Ann is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ann is currently ranked #1,144 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ann has 1 syllable and is pronounced AN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ann include Annie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ann include Anna, Annie, Annabelle, Annalise, Anne . 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