Girl · 25th of 35,406
Anna
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
915,007
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
15,697
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Anna stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Anna has Hebrew origins, meaning 'grace' or 'favor'. It evolved from Channah to Anna through Latin and has been widely used in many languages. The name is linked to biblical heritage, specifically to the figure of Hannah. Today, Anna is seen as a classic name, with several variants, and is associated with notable figures in various fields.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈænə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Anna is derived from the Hebrew name Channah, which means 'grace' or 'favor'. It is often associated with the biblical figure Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel.
Meaning
grace, favor
Language Evolution
Channah (Hebrew), Anna (Latin), Anna (English)
Biblical Background
The name Anna appears in the New Testament as a prophetess in the Gospel of Luke.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Christian tradition due to its biblical connections, particularly during the Middle Ages. It has remained a common name in various cultures throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Ana, Anne, Annie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Anna is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with elegance and simplicity. It remains popular in many countries.
Famous People
Anna Karenina (fictional character), Anna Wintour (editor), Anna Kendrick (actress)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 15,697 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 991st of 7545 | 772 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1314th of 6773 | 494 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2125th of 7552 | 277 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2445th of 10718 | 250 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2805th of 16616 | 342 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6160th of 24088 | 191 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 12651st of 23106 | 44 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7th of 9107 | 271,371 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 40th of 9204 | 112,033 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 103rd of 12526 | 80,184 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 93rd of 19264 | 61,464 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 50th of 27321 | 105,036 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 25th of 35406 | 133,785 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 52nd of 30306 | 48,844 |