Declining since 2005, #955 for girls today.
Popularity of Anika since 1961
Babies named Anika per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 26 |
| 1970s | 1,222 |
| 1980s | 949 |
| 1990s | 2,083 |
| 2000s | 5,591 |
| 2010s | 5,038 |
| 2020s | 1,895 |
Meaning & origin
Anika entered U.S. records in 1961 and saw a steady rise, peaking in 2006 before beginning a gradual decline. By 2025, it ranked 955th, with about 1 in 5,975 baby girls receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 2005, reflecting a broader shift away from names that saw a surge in the early 2000s. The name is most popular in states like Washington, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, suggesting a preference in the Pacific Northwest and mid-Atlantic regions. Anika's appeal likely lies in its cross-cultural adaptability, offering a melodic sound that feels both familiar and distinctive.
Anika has multiple proposed origins. In Sanskrit, it means "grace" or "sweetness of face." In Arabic, it can mean "distinction" or "elegance." It is also considered a variant of the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace." The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 20th century, possibly influenced by the character Anika in the 1997 film 'Anastasia' or through broader interest in multicultural names.
Where Anika 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.
“Anika” around the world
Where Anika lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ani, Nika, Annie
Sibling names for Anika
Names that share Anika's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maya, Lila, Sofia, Elara, Kaia, Aditi, Esha, Prisha, Aadhya, Divya, Krisha, Mahi, Nakita, Rama, Sahasra, Tanvi, Aarohi, Aarti, Adhira, Aishani, Ambika, Amisha, Anila, Disha, Gauri, Iniya, Ishita, Kaavya, Kalisa, Kamika, Latika, Mahika, Merisa, Mihira, Naina, Nihira, Nirvi, Nishka, Sanika, Sarika, Sejal, Shalimar, Shalina, Shama, Shloka, Siyona, Srinika, Sriya, Sruthi, Teja, Urvi, Varnika, Varsha, Veena, Veera, Vibha, Yashika, Amika, Arnika, Chanika, Danyka, Deepika, Haasini, Hansika, Janika, Krithi, Kritika, Lanika, Lasya, Malini, Mallika, Manika, Mihika, Nainika, Neelam, Netra, Nikitha, Nirali, Nishika, Nitasha, Palak, Parnika, Rachna, Saanvika, Sharmin, Sheetal, Shrinika, Snigdha, Tarika, Trishika, Tvisha, Vamika, Vivika, Vrinda, Yanique, Yashna, Mayukha, Shakya, Aahna, Ajaya, Alka, Ashvi, Ashvika, Atisha, Avisha, Bhavika, Bijal, Daelani, Dhana, Dhruti, Harika, Hetal, Ilisha, Kalika, Kanitra, Karuna, Keerat, Kelany, Kripa, Krishika, Kumari, Lekha, Markela, Mehek, Mikita, Namita, Navina, Nithila, Nitika, Nupur, Pranika, Prapti, Priyal, Raksha, Rashika, Ravina, Ritisha, Sahaana, Sanjna, Savani, Shalika, Shantika, Sonika, Sritha, Stuti, Sunjai, Torsha, Twisha
Brothers: Elias, Kai, Liam, Noah, Ravi, Anish, Arjun, Raj, Vihaan, Vikram, Abhiram, Amit, Mihir, Parth, Raja, Shiv, Veer, Aadi, Aadit, Adhvik, Aneesh, Anik, Arjan, Chetan, Chirag, Dewan, Kavi, Kavish, Kedar, Kush, Laksh, Madhav, Nilan, Nirav, Nirvan, Pavan, Pratham, Prithvi, Rajah, Rohin, Samay, Satvik, Shalin, Shlok, Shreyan, Sohan, Srihan, Vedanth, Virat, Vyom, Aadhvik, Aashrith, Abhi, Adit, Advit, Ajit, Anshul, Anvay, Ashrith, Atul, Bhavin, Daivik, Harish, Jasraj, Kailash, Manvir, Mehul, Mohan, Navdeep, Nihar, Paarth, Prateek, Ranbir, Ranvir, Rishik, Rohith, Vaayu, Vayu, Vineet, Viren, Adith, Jash, Navraj, Samik, Aadhi, Aarit, Alikai, Ankush, Arihant, Arjunreddy, Dhairya, Dhanvin, Ganesh, Jag, Janard, Jigar, Kaushal, Keval, Krishay, Nehan, Nihit, Nikash, Parthiv, Raam, Rishit, Safal, Samrat, Shayon, Shivin, Tarak, Vidit
Names like Anika
Names whose popularity has moved with Anika's over the last 50 years.
