Anna vs Maria

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

Maria

Girl #74 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"drop of the sea, star of the sea"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

Spanish Italian Portuguese German Polish Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#74
Total SSA Count
3,105
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mari, Ria, Mia

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Popularity Comparison

Anna Rank #94
Maria Rank #74

Maria is more popular, ranked #74 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

Maria ___

  • Maria Elena
  • Maria Theresa
  • Maria Lucia
  • Maria Isabelle
  • Maria Christina
  • Maria Celeste

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Anna

Elsa Emma Charlotte Sophia James

If you choose Maria

Elena Lucia Isabella Carlos Diego

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 Maria more popular?

Maria is more popular, ranked #74 compared to Anna at #94 in the United States.

What do Anna and Maria mean?

Anna means "grace, favor" (Hebrew (Hannah) origin). Maria means "drop of the sea, star of the sea" (Latin origin).

Are Anna and Maria boy or girl names?

Anna is primarily a girl name. Maria is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons