Anam is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish Gaelic word "anam" which means "soul". It is often used as a given name for girls in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora.
The name Anam has been popular in Ireland for centuries, with its use documented as far back as the 12th century. In Irish mythology, Anam was also the name of the goddess of the land, who was said to inhabit the souls of all living things.
The meaning of Anam, "soul", is significant in Irish culture and has been associated with concepts such as spirit, life force, and breath. This association gives the name a profound and spiritual connotation, making it a popular choice among families seeking a meaningful name for their children.
Anam is also sometimes used as a short form of other names containing the element "anam", such as Aine and Anagh. However, regardless of its origin, the name Anam stands alone as a unique and beautiful name with a rich history and profound meaning.
In recent years, the use of the name Anam has spread beyond Ireland, gaining popularity in other English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. Despite this international recognition, the name remains strongly associated with Irish culture and heritage.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Anam has seen varying levels of popularity over the past three decades in the United States.
The name's popularity peaked in the early to mid-1990s, with a high of 30 births in 1991. This trend continued into 1992 with another peak of 27 births. However, from 1993 onwards, the number of babies named Anam started to decline.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of births with the name Anam ranged between 16 to 29 each year, indicating a consistent, albeit lower, level of popularity compared to the peak years.
In the 2010s, the popularity of the name Anam continued to fluctuate. There were periods where the number of births dropped significantly, such as in 2007 with only 8 births, and again in 2015 with just 11 births. However, there were also years when the number of births increased notably, for example, in 2013 with 24 births.
More recently, from 2020 to 2023, the name Anam has seen a slight increase in popularity, with the number of births ranging between 14 to 17 each year. This suggests that while the name may not be as popular as it once was, it continues to be chosen for newborns in the United States.
In total, over the past three decades, there have been 661 babies named Anam born in the United States. These statistics provide insight into the trends and patterns of this name's popularity over time.