Anna is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Hebrew name Hannah. In both languages, the name means "grace" or "favor." It has been widely used throughout history and across various cultures.
The name Anna first appears in the New Testament of the Bible as Saint Anna, the mother of Mary, the Virgin Mary's mother. This mention contributed to its popularity among early Christians and helped establish it as a classic Christian name.
Throughout history, Anna has been associated with many notable figures. In literature, it was the name of characters in works by authors such as Henry James ("The Ambassadors") and Charlotte Brontë ("Jane Eyre"). Artists like Anna Pavlova, one of the most famous ballet dancers of all time, and singer Anna Netrebko have also contributed to its popularity.
In many languages, including Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Russian, Czech, Hungarian, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek, and Hebrew, the name Anna is used without modification. This widespread usage reflects its universality and appeal across cultures.
Today, Anna remains a popular choice for parents seeking a classic yet timeless name for their daughters. It has consistently ranked high in popularity charts worldwide, demonstrating its enduring appeal. While some variations exist, such as Anne or AnnaMaria, the original form of Anna continues to be widely used and beloved.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Anna in the United States from 1880 to 2021. The data illustrates the fluctuations in popularity of the name Anna over this period.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Anna was quite popular, with a significant number of births each year. From 1880 to 1930, there were consistently more than 25 births per year with the name Anna, reaching a peak of 52 births in 1930.
However, starting from the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Anna began to decline. From 1950 onwards, the number of annual births with the name Anna dropped significantly, reaching an all-time low of just 5 births in 2016 and 2018.
It is interesting to note that there was a brief resurgence in popularity for the name Anna during the late 1970s and early 1980s, with more than 20 births per year between 1979 and 1988. However, this increase was short-lived, and the popularity of the name Anna continued to decline throughout the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st century.
In conclusion, while the name Anna was once quite popular in the United States, its popularity has declined significantly over time. Despite this decline, the name Anna continues to be given to a small number of newborns each year.