Anna vs Emma

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Anna

Girl #94 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"grace, favor"

Origin: Hebrew (Hannah)

Cultural Roots

English German Scandinavian Russian Italian Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#94
Total SSA Count
2,700
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Annie, Ann, Nan

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Emma

Girl #2 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strength"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2
Total SSA Count
13,485
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Popularity Comparison

Anna Rank #94
Emma Rank #2

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #94 for Anna.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Anna ___

  • Anna Grace
  • Anna Marie
  • Anna Louise
  • Anna Elizabeth
  • Anna Rose
  • Anna Claire

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Anna

Elsa Emma Charlotte Sophia James

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anna or Emma more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Anna at #94 in the United States.

What do Anna and Emma mean?

Anna means "grace, favor" (Hebrew (Hannah) origin). Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin).

Are Anna and Emma boy or girl names?

Anna is primarily a girl name. Emma is primarily a girl name.

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