Anna

Traditionally associated with ‘grace’ or ‘favor’ through the Hebrew name Hannah.

Anna is a classic feminine given name used across many countries and languages. It’s short, familiar, and historically well established, which is why it often feels timeless rather than trend-driven. It can appear in religious contexts, but it’s equally common as an everyday name. The name is traditionally connected to the Hebrew name Hannah, which is commonly explained as being associated with ‘grace’ or ‘favor.’ Over time, Anna became a widely used form in multiple European languages alongside related forms like Anne. Because it has traveled across languages for centuries, the exact pronunciation varies by region more than the spelling does. In English, a common pronunciation is AN-uh, while other locales may prefer AH-nah. A practical tip is that Anna is easy to spell, but pronunciation can be locale-dependent, so stating your preference once is normal and usually solves it.

Etymology: Often treated as a form of Anna/Anne and historically linked to the Hebrew name Hannah. Long-standing across many European languages, with pronunciation shifting by locale.