The name Anand is of Sanskrit origin, deriving from the ancient Indian language that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is a combination of the prefix 'an' meaning 'without' and the root 'anda' meaning 'joy' or 'bliss', thus translating to 'without sorrow' or 'pure bliss'.

The name Anand has a rich history and is deeply rooted in the Hindu religion and philosophy. It is mentioned in several ancient Hindu texts, including the Vedas and the Upanishads, which are considered the foundational scriptures of Hinduism. In these texts, Anand is often associated with the concept of moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Anand is found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which is believed to have been composed between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. In the epic, Anand is mentioned as the name of a sage who imparted wisdom to the Pandava princes.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Anand. One of the most famous was Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), a revered Hindu mystic and spiritual teacher from Bengal, India. She is known for her teachings on the path of bhakti, or devotional love, and her ability to enter into deep states of spiritual ecstasy.

Another prominent figure was Anand Coomaraswamy (1877-1947), a renowned philosopher, metaphysician, and art historian of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. He played a significant role in introducing and interpreting Indian art and philosophy to the Western world.

In the field of literature, Anand Mohan Zutshi Sagar (1904-1992), better known by his pen name Anand Narain Mulla, was a prominent Kashmiri writer and poet. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Kashmiri literature and was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, India's highest literary honor, in 1955.

Anand Bakshi (1930-2002) was a celebrated Indian lyricist and screenwriter who penned lyrics for over 3,500 songs in Hindi films. He is widely regarded as one of the most prolific and influential lyricists in the history of Indian cinema.

In the realm of sports, Anand Amritraj (born 1951) is a former Indian tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of 16 in the world. He was a part of the successful Indian Davis Cup team and is credited with popularizing tennis in India.