Find out how popular the first name Ana has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ana by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ana is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Ana being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,327 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Ana.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Ana in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Ana

The name Ana has its origins in the Hebrew language, derived from the Biblical name Hannah, which means "grace" or "favor." This name can be traced back to ancient times, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel.

Ana is a variant of the name Anne, which was popular in Medieval Europe, particularly in France and England. It is believed that the name Anne was introduced to these regions through the cult of St. Anne, the legendary grandmother of Jesus Christ. As the veneration of St. Anne spread across Europe, the name gained widespread popularity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ana can be found in the ancient Greek text, the Septuagint, which is a translation of the Hebrew Bible into Koine Greek. In this text, the name Hannah is rendered as Anna, which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Ana. One of the most famous was Ana Bolena (Anne Boleyn, 1501-1536), the second wife of King Henry VIII of England. Her marriage to the king and subsequent execution played a pivotal role in the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England.

Another prominent figure was Ana de Mendoza (1540-1598), a Spanish noblewoman and writer who is considered one of the most important poets of the Spanish Golden Age. Her works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime and continue to be studied today.

In the realm of religion, Ana Katharina Emmerick (1774-1824) was a German Augustinian nun and mystic who is venerated in the Catholic Church. Her visions and experiences, which were recorded and published, have been the subject of much scholarly study and devotion.

In the arts, Ana Pavlova (1881-1931) was a famous Russian prima ballerina who is considered one of the most influential dancers of the 20th century. Her performances and innovative choreography helped to popularize and elevate the art of ballet on a global scale.

Finally, Ana Frank (Anne Frank, 1929-1945) was a German-born Jewish diarist who gained international fame posthumously for her diary, which documented her experiences hiding from the Nazis during World War II. Her diary, which has been translated into numerous languages, is a poignant testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression and adversity.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Ana, a name that has endured across centuries and cultures, carrying with it a rich tapestry of meaning and significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ana, please contact us.

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