Find out how popular the first name Anu has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Anu by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Anu is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 79% of people named Anu being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 9 male babies and 8 female babies born with the name Anu.

It's also interesting to see that despite Anu being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2024 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Anu.

The history of the first name Anu

The name Anu has its origins in ancient Sumerian and Akkadian civilizations, dating back to around 3000 BCE. It is derived from the Sumerian word "an," meaning "heaven" or "sky," and is closely associated with the Sumerian god of the same name, who was the supreme deity of the Sumerian pantheon.

In Sumerian mythology, Anu was the god of the heavens and the father of the gods. He was considered the ruler of the cosmos and was often depicted as an elderly man with a long beard and a crown. His name was also invoked in various religious rituals and ceremonies.

The name Anu is also found in ancient Hindu texts, such as the Vedas, where it is associated with the concept of "breath" or "life force." In some Hindu traditions, Anu is considered a minor deity or an aspect of the supreme being.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Anu can be found in the Sumerian King List, an ancient text that lists the rulers of Sumer. The list includes a king named Anu, who is said to have reigned for an incredibly long time, although the exact dates are uncertain.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Anu. One of the most famous was Anu, the daughter of the Sumerian king Shulgi, who ruled around 2094-2047 BCE. She was a powerful priestess and a prominent figure in the religious and cultural life of Sumer.

In ancient Egypt, there was a prince named Anu who lived during the 18th Dynasty, around 1550-1295 BCE. He was the son of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and is mentioned in several inscriptions and reliefs.

Another notable individual named Anu was a Tamil scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century CE in the southern part of India. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Tamil literature and is credited with writing several important works on grammar and poetics.

In more recent times, there was an Indian mathematician named Anu Bhaskara, who lived in the 12th century CE. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and is known for his work on calculus and astronomy.

Finally, Anu Garg is a contemporary Indian-American author and entrepreneur who is best known for founding the popular online newsletter "A Word A Day" and the website Wordsmith.org, which is dedicated to promoting the love of words and language.

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

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

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