Find out how popular the first name Ansu has been for the last 11 years (from 2006 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ansu by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Ansu is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ansu.

The history of the first name Ansu

The name Ansu has its origins in ancient Mesopotamia, specifically in the Sumerian and Akkadian cultures that flourished in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers around 3500-2000 BCE. The name is derived from the Sumerian word "an-zu," which means "the divine storm bird" or "the divine bird of heaven."

In Sumerian mythology, Anzu was a powerful deity depicted as a lion-headed eagle or a griffin-like creature. It was associated with storms, winds, and the sky, and was revered as a symbol of strength and divine power. The name Ansu was likely given to children as a way to invoke the protection and blessings of this mighty celestial being.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Ansu can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem dating back to around 2100 BCE. In this epic, Ansu is mentioned as the father of the god Ningirsu, a deity associated with war and agriculture.

Throughout the centuries, the name Ansu has been borne by various historical figures, including Ansu-nazirapali, a Neo-Assyrian king who ruled in the 8th century BCE. Another notable individual was Ansu-belshunu, a high-ranking Assyrian official who served under King Shalmaneser III in the 9th century BCE.

In the field of literature, the name Ansu was famously used by the Sumerian poet and priestess Enheduanna, who lived around 2300 BCE. She was the daughter of the Akkadian king Sargon of Akkad and is considered one of the earliest known authors in world literature.

Moving forward in time, Ansu was also the name of a prominent Chaldean astronomer and mathematician who lived in the 3rd century BCE. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and is credited with developing advanced methods for predicting eclipses and other celestial events.

Another noteworthy figure named Ansu was a Persian prince who lived in the 6th century BCE. He was the son of the Achaemenid king Cyrus the Great and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Persian Empire during his father's reign.

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

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

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