Meaning & History
Annisa is a feminine Indonesian given name with dual origins. Primarily, it functions as the Indonesian form of Anisa, the feminine variant of Anis, which means "friendly, companion" in Arabic (from the root ʾanisa meaning "to be friendly"). Secondarily, it may draw inspiration from the Quranic chapter an-Nisa' (meaning "the women"), as borrowed from Arabic النِّسَاء (an-nisāʔ). This chapter, the fourth surah of the Quran, addresses women's rights, family laws, and social justice, giving the name a religious and empowering connotation.
The name Annisa is closely related to the variant Anisa, while its Arabic cognate Anisa appears in Somali, English Anissa, Bosnian Enisa, and Turkish Enise. In Indonesia, the name is popular among Muslim families and reflects both Islamic heritage and a preference for elegant, soft-sounding names. Notable bearers include Annisa Pohan (born 1981), an Indonesian actress and model.
- Meaning: "friendly, companion" (Arabic) or related to "the women" (Quranic reference)
- Origin: Arabic, via Indonesian usage
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage Regions: Indonesia (dominant), also in other Muslim communities
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Annisa