Holding steady.
Popularity of Aneka since 1972
Babies named Aneka per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 93 |
| 1980s | 62 |
| 1990s | 78 |
| 2000s | 61 |
| 2010s | 23 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Aneka first entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1972, a time when many short, melodic international names gained traction. Its usage peaked in 1978, and since then it has remained stable but uncommon. While the name's exact origins are debated, it is widely regarded as a variant of Annika, a Scandinavian diminutive of Anna. The name has never ranked in the top 1000 and does not have a known one-in-N figure due to low frequency, but its consistent, though sparse, usage over decades suggests a quiet appeal among parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar-sounding name. Aneka has not been strongly associated with any particular U.S. state in its adoption, reflecting its broad but sparse distribution.
Aneka likely originated as a variant of Annika, a Swedish diminutive of Anna, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Hannah meaning 'grace' or 'favor'. The name gained usage in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it first appeared on the Social Security Administration's baby name list in 1972.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Annie, Nika
Sibling names for Aneka
Names that share Aneka's style, for a brother or sister.
