Annie is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "grace" or "favor." It is derived from the Hebrew word "Channah," which also gives us the name Hannah.
The name Annie has a rich history dating back to biblical times. In the Old Testament, Hannah was the mother of Samuel, who became one of the last judges of Israel and the prophet who anointed King David. This story highlights the significance of faith and perseverance in the meaning behind the name Annie.
In literature, Annie also makes an appearance as the protagonist in "Annie" by Thomas Mee, a novel about a young girl's coming-of-age journey during the Industrial Revolution. This character further enriches the name's history and cultural significance.
Over time, Annie has evolved into a popular given name, often used independently or as a shortened form of names like Anne or Anna. Its simplicity and timelessness have contributed to its enduring popularity across generations and cultures.
Overall, Annie is a name with deep roots in history and religion, carrying connotations of grace, favor, faith, and perseverance. Its diverse usage and cultural relevance make it a well-loved choice for parents seeking a meaningful and timeless name for their child.
The name Annie has been a popular choice for parents in the United States for over a century, with its popularity ebbing and flowing over time. The earliest recorded births of girls named Annie in the US date back to the late 1800s, with 1258 babies given this name in 1880 alone.
Over the next decade, the number of Annie births fluctuated slightly but remained relatively steady, ranging from a low of 1326 births in 1881 to a high of 2470 births in 1898. However, it was not until the early 1900s that we begin to see a significant increase in the number of Annie births.
Between 1900 and 1919, there were over 35,000 babies named Annie born in the United States. The peak years for this name during this time period were 1917 and 1918, with over 6700 births each year.
The popularity of the name Annie continued to rise throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, reaching a high of nearly 7500 births in 1922. However, as with many names from this era, its popularity began to decline after World War II.
From the mid-1940s onwards, there were fewer than 5000 Annie births per year on average. This downward trend continued until the late 1970s when the name experienced a resurgence in popularity among parents once again.
Between 1977 and 1989, over 600 babies named Annie were born each year in the United States. While this number is still considerably lower than the peak years of the early 1900s, it represents a significant increase from previous decades.
Since then, the popularity of the name Annie has continued to rise and fall, with no clear long-term trend. In recent years, there have been around 800-1300 babies named Annie born annually in the US, indicating that while this classic name may not be as popular as it once was, it remains a beloved choice for parents nonetheless.
In total, over 356,951 girls have been named Annie in the United States since records began. Despite its ups and downs in popularity over time, Annie remains one of the most enduring and recognizable names in American history.