Anna is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Hebrew name Hannah. In both languages, the name means "grace" or "favor." It has been widely used throughout history and across various cultures.
The name Anna first appears in the New Testament of the Bible as Saint Anna, the mother of Mary, the Virgin Mary's mother. This mention contributed to its popularity among early Christians and helped establish it as a classic Christian name.
Throughout history, Anna has been associated with many notable figures. In literature, it was the name of characters in works by authors such as Henry James ("The Ambassadors") and Charlotte Brontë ("Jane Eyre"). Artists like Anna Pavlova, one of the most famous ballet dancers of all time, and singer Anna Netrebko have also contributed to its popularity.
In many languages, including Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Russian, Czech, Hungarian, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek, and Hebrew, the name Anna is used without modification. This widespread usage reflects its universality and appeal across cultures.
Today, Anna remains a popular choice for parents seeking a classic yet timeless name for their daughters. It has consistently ranked high in popularity charts worldwide, demonstrating its enduring appeal. While some variations exist, such as Anne or AnnaMaria, the original form of Anna continues to be widely used and beloved.
These statistics show that the name Anna has been quite popular over time, with varying levels of popularity from year to year. The highest number of births recorded was 64 in 1989, while the lowest was just 5 births in both 2016 and 2018. There seems to be a general decline in the popularity of the name Anna over time, with more recent years showing significantly lower numbers of births compared to earlier decades. However, it's important to note that these statistics may not reflect current trends, as they only go up until 2021.