Holding steady, #8,860 for girls today.
Popularity of Anam since 1987
Babies named Anam per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1991, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Anam's real moment was 1998.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 46 |
| 1990s | 233 |
| 2000s | 146 |
| 2010s | 173 |
| 2020s | 99 |
Meaning & origin
Anam is a name with dual heritage, possibly Irish or Arabic in origin. Its meaning, if Irish, evokes the concept of soul; if Arabic, it suggests blessing or prosperity. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1987, marking a modern adoption. With a peak rank of 8,860 in 1998, it has remained relatively stable and uncommon. As of 2025, its rank is 8,860, with about 1 in 146,115 newborns receiving the name. This rarity gives it a distinctive quality, appreciated by parents seeking a cross-cultural name with depth. Though it has not seen major popularity spikes, its gentle sound and meaningful potential resonance keep it in quiet use.
Anam is a name of debated origin. In Irish, 'anam' means 'soul', linking it to spiritual or poetic traditions. Alternatively, it may derive from the Arabic 'An'am' (meaning 'blessing' or 'prosperity'), which is used across Muslim communities. The name has been used in both cultures, though its popularity in English-speaking countries is a modern phenomenon, first recorded in the U.S. in 1987.
“Anam” around the world
Where Anam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ani, Nam, Annie
Variants: Annam, An' am
Sibling names for Anam
Names that share Anam's style, for a brother or sister.
