Anna is a name of Latin origin that has been popular throughout history and across various cultures. It is derived from the Latin word "Annus," which means "year" or "grace." Anna was originally used as a feminine form of Annus, and it has been associated with various saints in Christianity, including Saint Anne, who is believed to be the mother of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
In different languages and cultures, Anna has been adapted and translated in various ways. For example, in Hebrew, it is spelled "Channah," which means "grace." In Russian, it is written as "Anna" but pronounced as "Ah-nah," and in Swedish, it is spelled "Anna" but pronounced as "Ahn-na."
The name Anna has been popular throughout history and continues to be a widely used name today. It was particularly prevalent during the Middle Ages in Europe, when it was often used as a diminutive of other names such as AnnaMaria or Annalisa. In recent years, Anna has also become increasingly popular as a given name for girls, ranking among the top 100 most popular names in many countries.
Overall, Anna is a classic and timeless name that has been beloved by people around the world for centuries. Its Latin origin gives it a sense of history and tradition, while its meaning of "grace" lends it a gentle and elegant quality. Whether used as a given name or a surname, Anna remains a beautiful and meaningful choice.
The name Anna has been a popular choice for baby girls in the United States over the past century and a half. The statistics provided show the annual number of births registered with the name Anna from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1910, the number of babies named Anna hovered between 3,000 and 6,000 annually. However, in 1912, there was a significant increase to over 7,000 births, marking the beginning of a period where the name Anna became even more popular.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the popularity of the name Anna surged dramatically. In 1958, for instance, there were over 4,000 babies named Anna, and by 1967, this number had nearly doubled to over 7,000.
The peak of Anna's popularity in the United States occurred between the late 1970s and early 1990s. In 1985, a remarkable 8,567 babies were named Anna, and this trend continued into the next decade. However, after 1994, there was a steady decline in the number of newborn girls named Anna.
By the year 2000, the number of baby girls named Anna had fallen to around 6,000 annually, and this downward trend has persisted since then. As of 2023, only about 2,918 babies were registered with the name Anna, demonstrating a considerable decrease in its popularity compared to its peak decades ago.
In total, over the course of approximately 143 years (from 1880 to 2023), there have been an estimated 909,456 births recorded with the name Anna in the United States. This reflects not only the enduring appeal of this name but also the broader trends and fluctuations in naming practices throughout American history.
Despite its recent decline in popularity, the name Anna remains a classic choice that has been favored by many families over generations, with its timeless charm and international familiarity contributing to its enduring legacy.