Anna

The female first name Anna is the Greek and Latin form of the biblical name Channah, which originally stems from the ancient Hebrew Hannah. Directly translated, the name means 'the favored one', 'the charming one', 'the graceful one', as well as 'God is gracious', 'God's grace', and 'God has shown mercy'.

What does the name Anna mean?

The female first name Anna is the Greek and Latin form of the biblical name Channah, which originally stems from the ancient Hebrew Hannah. Directly translated, the name means 'the favored one', 'the charming one', 'the graceful one', as well as 'God is gracious', 'God's grace', and 'God has shown mercy'. The origin of Anna lies in ancient Hebrew, derived from the Hebrew expression channâh (חַנָּה) for 'grace', 'graciousness', 'gracefulness', 'charm', 'he was gracious', and 'he showed favor', which in turn goes back to the root ḥanān (חָנַן) meaning 'to be kind', 'to be gracious', 'to have mercy', and 'to show grace'. The name may also have a connection to the old German first name Anno, which could be interpreted as 'the ruling eagle', 'the one who rules like an eagle', or 'the one who is strong like an eagle'. Finally, it is worth mentioning that Anna is sometimes associated with the Celtic name of the goddess Anu, who is regarded as the mother of the Irish gods and means 'the ancestress'. According to Christian tradition and the Bible, Anna was the mother of Mary, the mother of Jesus, thus the grandmother of Jesus and the mother-in-law of Joseph. She is the patroness of mothers and widows. The name was already very common in the German-speaking world in the 14th century. After the Reformation, it gained popularity among both Catholics and Protestants. Thus, Anna has been consistently popular in Germany for seven centuries and remains one of the most beloved girls' names to this day. Anna also appears in Roman mythology, where she is the sister of Queen Dido. According to legend, she jumped into the river Numicius and was later venerated as a nymph of the river god. The name is also often given as a second name. Ánná is the Sami and Ánna is the Russian spelling of the name. Other particularly well-known variants include Ana, Anja, Antje, Ane, Ann, or Anne.

Where does the name Anna come from?

Etymology The girl's name Anna has a Hebrew origin and is one of the most commonly given first names worldwide. Anna is a short form of the name Channah, which is derived from the Hebrew channâh (חַנָּה) meaning 'grace', 'graciousness', 'gracefulness', 'charm', 'he was gracious', and 'he showed favor', and originally goes back to Hannah, formed from ḥanān (חָנַן) meaning 'to be kind', 'to be gracious', 'to have mercy', and 'to show grace'. Ancient Hebrew

How do you pronounce Anna?

Sound & pronunciation of Anna: The name Anna is two syllables and symmetrically structured. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'An-na' [ˈana], with the doubling of the 'n' creating a rhythmic center. The open vowels frame the name softly. Anna appears clear and timeless - down-to-earth, calm, and present.

When is the name day of Anna?

The name day of Anna is February 8 (in honor of Anna Margareta Lorger), February 9 (in honor of Anna Katharina Emmerick), July 26 (in honor of Saint Anna), October 5 (in honor of Anna Schäffer), and October 20 (in honor of Anna Francesca Boscardin).

Popularity

The female first name Anna has belonged to the absolute top group of the most popular first names in Germany since the late 19th century and has repeatedly reached number 1 over many decades. Between 1890 and the 1910s, it was almost continuously in the top 1 to 3 and shaped entire generations. The name also remained extremely popular in the 1920s to 1950s, predominantly staying within the top 30 to top 50.

Nicknames & pet names

Aennchen / Aennsn / Ah na / Ahna / An / Anali / AnAn / Anana / Ananas / Anechka / Anee / Ani / Ania / Anica / Anichka / Anii / Anje / Anjka / Anjo / Anjula / Anjuta / Anjutachka / Anjutka / Ann / Anna Bannana / Anna Wanna / Anna-Panna / Anna-Popanna / Annabanana / Annabanna / Annabella / Annabelle / Annacabanna / Annachen / Annaconda / Annaita / Annakonda / Annala / Annale / Annalein / Annali / Annalise / Annalisl / Annalle / Annalsa / Annamanna / Annanas / Annanastisch / Annani / Annarl / Annatollka / Annchen / Annchn / Annerl / Anney / Anni Banani / Anni-Iren / Annie / Annila / Annilein / Annini / Annio / Anniszka / Anniti / Annl / Annora / Annschen / Annschge / Annschi / Annschka / Annsi / Annski / Annu / Annv / Annynanny / Anona / Ansch / Anschi / Anschisweet / Anschki / Anuschka / Any / Anyu / Autsch / Ckanna / Drüpschen / Ennie / Fanna / Hanna / Mpanna / Nana / Nani / Ntanna / Nyuta / Pannacotta / Sanna / Sanni / Schlanna / Schnurpsi / Wanna / Xfanna / Äna / Änalein / Änchen / Änie / Änna / Änneken / Ännele / Änni / Ännou / Änny / Äntchen / Äntschi

Similar first names

Anny

Famous people

• Anna (character) (Character from the opera 'Nabucco' by Giuseppe Verdi)
• Anna Andrejewna Achmatowa (Russian writer regarded as the best Russian writer)
• Anna Battke (Athlete (pole vault))
• Anna Bessonova (Ukrainian gymnast)
• Anna Carin Helena Cecilia Olofsson (Swedish biathlete)
• Anna Carolina Hermann (figure skater from Germany)
• Anna Chlumsky (Actress [My Girl])
• Anna David (Singer)
• Anna Depenbusch (Singer)
• Anna the yellow hare (One of the 4 characters from 'Junior Mensch-ärgere-dich-nicht')
• Anna Dietz (German theater actress)
• Anna Faris (Actress)
• Anna Fenninger (Austrian ski racer)
• Anna Friel (Actress)
• Anna Funk (Actress)
• Anna Fur Laxis (Model)
• Anna German (Singer from Uzbekistan)
• Anna Grigorjewna Semenowitsch (former Russian ice dancer)
• Anna Hahner (German athlete, twin sister of Lisa)
• Anna has migraine (song) (Song by the Wise Guys)