Anna is a name of Latin origin that has been popular throughout history and across various cultures. It is derived from the Latin word "Annus," which means "year" or "grace." Anna was originally used as a feminine form of Annus, and it has been associated with various saints in Christianity, including Saint Anne, who is believed to be the mother of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
In different languages and cultures, Anna has been adapted and translated in various ways. For example, in Hebrew, it is spelled "Channah," which means "grace." In Russian, it is written as "Anna" but pronounced as "Ah-nah," and in Swedish, it is spelled "Anna" but pronounced as "Ahn-na."
The name Anna has been popular throughout history and continues to be a widely used name today. It was particularly prevalent during the Middle Ages in Europe, when it was often used as a diminutive of other names such as AnnaMaria or Annalisa. In recent years, Anna has also become increasingly popular as a given name for girls, ranking among the top 100 most popular names in many countries.
Overall, Anna is a classic and timeless name that has been beloved by people around the world for centuries. Its Latin origin gives it a sense of history and tradition, while its meaning of "grace" lends it a gentle and elegant quality. Whether used as a given name or a surname, Anna remains a beautiful and meaningful choice.
The name Anna experienced significant popularity and fluctuations over time based on these annual statistics. From the late 19th century to early 20th century, its usage peaked dramatically, with a notable spike during World War I (1914-1918), reaching a high of 15666 births in 1918. However, after the war, there was a steady decline until the late 1970s when it started to rise again. Anna reached its modern peak in popularity during the early 2000s with over 10,000 births per year. Since then, the name has seen a gradual decrease in usage, reaching 2918 births in 2023. Over the entire period covered by these statistics (from 1880 to present), Anna has been one of the most popular and enduring girls' names with a total of 909456 births recorded.