Anastasia is a female given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "ἀνάστασις" which means "resurrection". The name was particularly popular among early Christians because it was associated with the belief in eternal life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The name Anastasia gained prominence during the Byzantine Empire, where several members of the imperial family bore this name. One notable figure was Saint Anastasia, who was a Christian martyr during the Roman Empire period. She is venerated as a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.
In literature, the name Anastasia has been popularized by works such as "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna Anderson" by Peter Kurth, which tells the story of Anna Anderson who claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. This claim has contributed to the enduring popularity of the name Anastasia in modern times.
Overall, the name Anastasia is steeped in history and culture, with roots dating back to ancient Greece and significant figures throughout the centuries. Its meaning, "resurrection", adds a profound spiritual significance to this beautiful name.
The name Anastasia has shown fluctuations in popularity over the years with a notable spike in 1987 and another peak in 1992. Since then, it has seen a general decline in usage, reaching its lowest point in recent years in 2006 and 2009.