Meaning & History
Anna is a feminine given name, the Latin form of the Hebrew name Hannah, which means “favor” or “grace.” Used in the Greek and Latin Old Testament, it appears in the Hebrew Bible as the mother of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1–2). Many later Old Testament translations, including English, use the spelling Hannah instead of Anna. In the New Testament, Anna is the name of a prophetess who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 2:36–38).
Etymology and History
Anna derives from Hannah, the Hebrew name Channah, meaning “favor” or “grace.” The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Septuagint) renders it as Ἄννα (Anna), and this Latinized form spread throughout the Roman Empire. It was a popular name in the Byzantine Empire from an early date, and during the Middle Ages, veneration of Saint Anna (usually known as Saint Anne in English), traditionally the mother of the Virgin Mary, made the name common among Western Christians.
Usage and Variants
In England, the Latin form Anna has been used alongside the vernacular forms Ann and Anne since the late Middle Ages. Anna is currently the most common of these spellings in English-speaking countries (since the 1970s), although the biblical form Hannah is now more popular. Other variant forms include Ana in Bulgarian, Catalan, and Spanish; Anne in French and Estonian; and Hanna in Hebrew. Diminutives include Annetta, Anika, Anina, Anke, Anneli, and Annelie.
Notable Bearers
The name was borne by several Russian royals, including Empress Anna of Russia (1693–1740), who ruled from 1730 to 1740. In literature, Anna is the main character of Leo Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina (1877), about a married aristocrat who begins an ultimately tragic relationship with Count Vronsky. Other notable bearers include Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, and Anna the Prophetess from the New Testament.
Cultural Significance
Anna is also found in Virgil's Aeneid, where Anna appears as the sister of Dido, advising her to keep Aeneas in her city. The name has remained consistently popular across the world, with many variations reflecting different linguistic and cultural traditions.
- Meaning: Favor, grace
- Origin: Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Hannah
- Type: First name (feminine)
- Usage regions: Widespread, including English, French, German, Russian, Scandinavian, Greek, and many other language areas
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Anna (name)