Find out how popular the first name Anansa has been for the last 15 years (from 1979 to 1993) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Anansa by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Anansa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1993, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Anansa.

The history of the first name Anansa

The name Anansa is believed to have its origins in the Akan language spoken by the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast in West Africa. The name is thought to be derived from the word 'ananse,' which means 'spider' in the Akan language.

In Akan folklore, Ananse is a popular trickster character who takes the form of a spider. The Ananse stories often feature the spider as a cunning and mischievous figure who uses his wit and intelligence to outwit others. These tales have been passed down from generation to generation and have become an integral part of Akan cultural heritage.

The name Anansa may have been given to individuals in recognition of their cleverness, resourcefulness, or ability to navigate challenging situations with ingenuity, much like the legendary Ananse spider.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Anansa can be found in the historical records of the Ashanti Kingdom, a powerful West African empire that flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. Anansa was the name of a prominent queen and advisor to the Ashanti King Osei Tutu in the late 17th century.

Another notable figure with the name Anansa was Anansa Kroma (1853-1927), a skilled diplomat and negotiator from the Akan people. She played a crucial role in mediating disputes between the British colonial authorities and local leaders in Ghana during the late 19th century.

In the realm of literature, Anansa Bakari (1898-1976) was a renowned Ghanaian writer and poet who helped popularize Akan folklore and oral traditions through her works. Her poetry collection, "The Spider's Web," published in 1954, drew inspiration from the Ananse stories and explored themes of wisdom, resilience, and cultural identity.

Moving beyond West Africa, Anansa Lumumba (1925-1961) was a Congolese activist and politician who fought for the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo from Belgian colonial rule. She was a prominent figure in the Congolese nationalist movement and worked closely with her husband, Patrice Lumumba, who became the country's first democratically elected prime minister.

Lastly, Anansa Korama (1932-2018) was a trailblazing Ghanaian diplomat and one of the first African women to hold a high-ranking position in the United Nations. She served as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator from 1992 to 1997, playing a vital role in coordinating relief efforts during numerous humanitarian crises around the world.

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 Anansa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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