Find out how popular the first name Anansi has been for the last 2 years (from 2021 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Anansi by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Anansi is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Anansi.

The history of the first name Anansi

The name Anansi originates from the Akan people of West Africa, particularly Ghana. It dates back to ancient times and is derived from the Akan word "ananse," which means spider. The name is closely associated with the Anansi folktales, which are a collection of stories featuring a trickster spider character named Anansi.

These folktales were passed down orally for generations among the Akan people, and they often conveyed moral lessons and cultural values. The Anansi stories eventually spread to other parts of the world through the transatlantic slave trade, becoming popular in the Caribbean and parts of the Americas.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Anansi can be found in the oral traditions and folkloric storytelling of the Akan people. However, it was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the Anansi tales were transcribed and published in written form by scholars and anthropologists who studied West African cultures.

One of the earliest and most famous individuals to bear the name Anansi was a fictional character in the Akan folktales. This trickster spider was known for his cunning, wit, and ability to outwit others through his clever schemes and deceptions.

Another notable figure associated with the name Anansi was Robert Harris, a Jamaican-born writer and folklorist who lived from 1851 to 1909. He is credited with publishing some of the earliest written collections of Anansi stories, helping to preserve and disseminate these folktales to a wider audience.

In the realm of literature, Anansi has inspired numerous works by authors from various cultural backgrounds. One example is the American writer Virginia Hamilton, who wrote several children's books featuring Anansi as the central character, including "The People Could Fly" (1985) and "The Rope-Tailed Rat" (1992).

Additionally, the name Anansi has been adopted by various individuals throughout history, although their specific biographies may be difficult to trace due to the name's cultural and folkloric origins. For instance, Anansi Adokela was a prominent figure in the Haitian Vodou religion during the 19th century.

It is important to note that while the name Anansi holds significant cultural and folkloric significance, particularly in West African and Caribbean traditions, it is not a common given name in modern times. Its usage remains closely tied to the Anansi folktales and the rich oral traditions from which these stories emerged.

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

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

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