"grace, favor"
Origin: Hebrew (Hannah)
Language: English
Anna
Pronunciation: [ AN-uh ]
Girl Name
#94 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
Two syllables of pure grace, beloved across every culture
English
German
Scandinavian
Russian
Italian
Spanish
Classic
Elegant
Traditional
Gentle
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"full of grace"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"grace, favor"
Origin: Hebrew Channah
Language: Hebrew
"prayer, wish"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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.
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
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
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
Common Nicknames
Annie
Ann
Nan
Pairs Well With
Anna Grace
Anna Marie
Anna Louise
Anna Elizabeth
Anna Rose
Anna Claire
Anna Jane
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Anna is also used as a boy name, ranked #19686.
View Anna as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.