Declining since 2002, #245 for girls today.
Popularity of Ana since 1880
Babies named Ana per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1991, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ana's real moment was 2003.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 78 |
| 1890s | 110 |
| 1900s | 157 |
| 1910s | 367 |
| 1920s | 710 |
| 1930s | 752 |
| 1940s | 1,338 |
| 1950s | 3,930 |
| 1960s | 7,844 |
| 1970s | 11,217 |
| 1980s | 15,530 |
| 1990s | 23,541 |
| 2000s | 23,203 |
| 2010s | 14,543 |
| 2020s | 8,039 |
Meaning & origin
Ana is a classic cross-cultural name that has maintained steady popularity for over a century. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, it reached its peak at rank in 2003 and has since gradually declined, reflective of broader trends away from very simple vowel-starting names. Despite the fall from its peak, with 1 in 1,260 girls receiving the name in 2025, it remains a common choice. Geographically, Ana is especially popular in states like Arizona, Texas, and Connecticut, which aligns with its strong Hispanic and Portuguese heritage. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and grace, making it a perennial favorite among families seeking a short, elegant name with deep roots.
Ana is a form of Anna, which derives from the Hebrew name Hannah (חַנָּה), meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' In the New Testament, Anna is a prophetess who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. The name has been widely used across Europe, particularly in Spanish, Portuguese, and Slavic-speaking countries, where Ana is a standard spelling. It was also borne by numerous saints and royalty.
Where Ana is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ana” around the world
Where Ana lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
390
babies in 2024
Ireland
14
babies in 2025
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Quebec
11
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ani, Anita, Annie
Sibling names for Ana
Names that share Ana's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Sofia, Emma, Mia, Lily, Elena, Isabela, Joana, Johana, Juana, Amada, Cristi, Elene, Jovana, Liesel, Yoana, Analiz, Daiana, Ibeth, Joaquina, Luisana, Marica, Marija, Matea, Natia, Nikolina, Suzana, Andreea, Miguelina, Milica, Rika, Tereza, Julita, Alisi, Bia, Fany, Ilaisaane, Lesieli, Madalina, Magdalina, Mirjana, Nevena, Sofija
Brothers: Mateo, Lucas, Liam, Ethan, Julian, Carlos, Jose, Julio, Luis, Luka, Manuel, Miguel, Pedro, Marko, Misael, Sione, Aleksandar, Andrei, Hipolito, Joao, Joseluis, Luiz, Nikola, Osiel, Paulo, Aki, Alexandru, Andrez, Ascencion, Cirilo, Diogo, Filipe, Guilherme, Joaquim, Jorgeluis, Josafat, Joselito, Juanjose, Juanluis, Juanmanuel, Juliocesar, Lazar, Marcio, Mateus, Milos, Olegario, Petar, Rogerio, Sanchez, Sorin, Tevita, Zoran, Ante, Bogdan, Ion, Isais, Joaopedro, Josemaria, Juanangel, Juandavid, Luisfernando, Matei, Rui, Siaosi, Tomislav, Viliami, Ilija, Cheo, Dejan, Dragan, Dusan, Giorgi, Izaias, Jesua, Josealberto, Josecarlos, Josip, Luiscarlos, Matej, Mihailo, Mikaele, Nicolae, Nikoloz, Pavle, Sanjuan, Semisi, Serapio, Sostenes, Taniela, Vuk
Names like Ana
Names whose popularity has moved with Ana's over the last 50 years.
