Timeless classic

Hebrew Female name

Anna

חַנָּה

Grace or favor

A timeless biblical name meaning grace.

4 letters2 syllablesFemaleEasy to pronounce
Symbolic editorial illustration representing grace and prophecy
GraceGrace or favor

At a glance

Anna in context

Anna is a Hebrew girl name meaning grace or favor. It works best for parents who want a biblical name name that feels recognized globally while still being easy to say. It also carries biblical context.

Best fit

When this name works beautifully

  • Biblical Root
  • Grace Meaning
  • Simple Elegance
Confidence

What we are confident about

Review levelHigh confidence

Origin readHebrew

Well-established biblical Hebrew name with deep roots in both testaments. In plain terms, Anna is presented here as a Hebrew name connected with grace or favor.

Meaning overview

What does Anna mean?

The essential meaning first, then the emotional and cultural texture that gives the name its character.

Grace or favor

Anna is the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' It appears in the Bible as a prophetess who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. The name has been a global favorite for centuries.

Anna feels graceful and timeless. It has a sense of quiet beauty and dignity that suggests someone kind and wise. It is a name that feels both spiritual and accessible, with a gentle strength.

BiblicalGraceClassicElegantTimeless

Meaning in depth

Layers of meaning

The literal sense, contextual reading, and emotional associations attached to Anna.

Primary meaning
Grace or favor
Literal sense
Grace
Context
Anna is the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' It appears in the Bible as a prophetess who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. The name has been a global favorite for centuries.
Association
Grace and prophecy

Name story

The story behind Anna

A fuller reading of how the meaning, tone, and identity of the name come together.

Anna is a name of profound simplicity and beauty. It is the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' In the Bible, Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel, who prayed fervently for a child and dedicated him to God. In the New Testament, Anna is a prophetess who recognized Jesus as the Messiah at the Temple in Jerusalem. The name has been used across cultures for millennia, appearing in various forms in almost every language. In the United States, Anna has been a consistently popular name for generations. Its appeal comes from its biblical depth, its meaning of grace, and its classic, elegant simplicity.

Parent lens

Why parents choose Anna

A decision-oriented view of the name: what it signals, how it feels, and why it appeals.

Parents choose Anna for its biblical depth, meaning of grace, and classic simplicity.

Anna feels graceful and timeless. It has a sense of quiet beauty and dignity that suggests someone kind and wise. It is a name that feels both spiritual and accessible, with a gentle strength.

Biblical Insight

Permissible name

Anna is a significant name in both the Old and New Testaments. It is widely respected in Jewish and Christian traditions.

Religious and cultural context

Anna is a significant name in both the Old and New Testaments. It is widely respected in Jewish and Christian traditions.

Biblical
  • Biblical Figure
  • Positive Meaning
  • Grace Association
  • mother-of-samuel
  • prophetess-in-new-testament
  • meaning-grace

Details

Anna at a closer look

Origin, pronunciation, profile, variants, and relationship signals presented in compact reference form.

Identity

Origin
Hebrew
Gender
Female
Religion
Multiple
Region
Middle East, Europe, Americas, Global

Pronunciation

AN-ə

Anna has 2 syllables.

Most English speakers should find it approachable.

Profile

Timeless classic

Anna has been a consistently popular name in the United States for generations.

Biblical name

Variants & spellings

AnnaAnaAnnAnne

Name relationships

Similar sound

Ana, Annie, Hannah

Same meaning

Hannah, Grace

Themes

Biblical Names, Hebrew Origin Names, Grace Names

Related names

Hannah, Grace, Mary, Elizabeth

Continue exploring

Where Anna can take you next

Move through meaning, sound, origin, feeling, and editor-selected alternatives without falling into another plain list.

Reading journey

A route through the museum

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Anna feels

Personality, not just facts

Names carry atmosphere. These chips describe the impression Anna leaves behind.

Name family

How the relationships branch

Explore by feeling

Choose the atmosphere

For parents who search emotionally first, each room opens a different mood of name.

Story collections

Collections as stories

Biblical Girl Names
CollectionBiblical Girl Names

A curated story path where Anna naturally belongs.

Hebrew Origin Names
CollectionHebrew Origin Names

A curated story path where Anna naturally belongs.

Grace Names
CollectionGrace Names

A curated story path where Anna naturally belongs.

Classic Girl Names
CollectionClassic Girl Names

A curated story path where Anna naturally belongs.

Community discovery

Readers often continue with

Mood board

Anna in images and texture

Grace textureGraceHebrew textureHebrewBiblical name textureBiblical nameGuides textureGuidesAnnaGraceHebrewBiblical nameBiblicalClassicElegantTimelessSoft lightQuiet pagesFamily story

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Questions people ask

Answers that keep the path open

What does Anna mean?

Anna means grace. It is the Hebrew name Hannah and appears in both the Old and New Testaments.

Is Anna a biblical name?

Yes. Anna appears in the New Testament as a prophetess who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Her story is also connected to Hannah in the Old Testament.

How do you pronounce Anna?

Anna is pronounced AN-ə, with two syllables.

Is Anna a popular name?

Yes. Anna has been a consistently popular name in the United States for generations.

What are nicknames for Anna?

Common nicknames include Annie and Nan.

Why Hebrew names keep travelling

Editorial spotlight

Why Hebrew names keep travelling

Anna opens a wider story about how names survive through language, family memory, faith, literature, and everyday use. Follow this feature to see why some naming traditions keep feeling fresh across generations.

Read the feature

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