Declining since 2004, #995 for girls today.
Popularity of Annika since 1961
Babies named Annika per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 74 |
| 1970s | 388 |
| 1980s | 790 |
| 1990s | 2,724 |
| 2000s | 8,786 |
| 2010s | 5,048 |
| 2020s | 1,784 |
Meaning & origin
Annika entered U.S. records in 1961 and rose gradually, peaking at rank 995 in 2003 before beginning a slow decline. Today about 1 in 6,328 newborn girls receives the name, reflecting its niche but enduring appeal. The name has been most common in Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado, states with strong Scandinavian heritage. Its trajectory has been falling since 2004, yet it remains a recognizable choice outside the top 500. Annika's quiet charm lies in its diminutive form of the timeless Anna, lending it a sweet but not overly frilly feel, and its Nordic roots give it a fresh, international air without being unfamiliar.
Annika is a Scandinavian, German, and Dutch diminutive of Anna, which derives from the Hebrew name Hannah (חַנָּה) meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' It has been used in Sweden since the 18th century and gained broader popularity in the 20th century, especially through the character Annika in Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking books (1945).
Where Annika 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.
“Annika” around the world
Where Annika 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: Anni, Nikki, Nika, Annie
Sibling names for Annika
Names that share Annika's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Annika
Names whose popularity has moved with Annika's over the last 50 years.
