Ann is a charming and elegant name of Scottish origin, meaning "grace" in Gaelic. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "ann", which translates to "beauty". This lovely name has been popular throughout history and has been associated with many notable figures.
The name Ann first became prominent during the Middle Ages when it was used by several queens and princesses of Scotland. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Anne of Denmark, who married King James VI of Scotland in 1589. She was a significant figure in Scottish history as she played a crucial role in the union of the crowns of Scotland and England.
Another notable Ann was Anne, Queen of Great Britain, also known as Queen Anne Stuart. She ruled from 1702 until her death in 1714. Her reign marked the end of the Stuart dynasty and the beginning of the Georgian era.
Despite its Scottish roots, Ann has been widely used throughout Europe and beyond. In France, for example, it is often spelled "Anne" and is considered a traditional French name. In Germany, it is sometimes spelled "Anna", which also means "grace".
Today, Ann continues to be popular as a given name for girls around the world. It is often paired with other names such as Anne-Marie or Anne-Françoise in France, Anna-Lisa in Sweden, and Ann-Margret in the United States.
In literature, Ann has been used by many authors, including Charlotte Brontë in her classic novel "Jane Eyre", where the heroine's name is Anne before she becomes Jane. In music, Ann has been popularized by famous artists such as Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics and Anna Netrebko, a renowned opera singer.
In summary, Ann is a beautiful and timeless name with Scottish origins that means "grace". Throughout history, it has been carried by many notable figures, including queens and princesses. Today, it remains popular around the world and continues to inspire creativity in literature and music.
The name Ann seems to have seen a gradual decline in popularity over the course of the century, with peaks in the early 1920s and late 1930s, and a notable drop off after the mid-1970s. The highest number of births in any given year was 41 in 1942, while the lowest recorded was 5 births in both 1906 and 1926. Overall, there were 1364 births with the name Ann between 1905 and 2004.