ANNE  

Gender: F
Origin: French variation of English ANN and Hebrew HANNAH
Meaning: "grace"

Popularity in 2008: #499

The name of the sainted mother of the Virgin Mary was among the top girls' names for centuries, in both the original English Ann spelling and the French Anne. Both left the Top 100 around 1970 and show no signs of returning, even as middle names. Parents today are more likely to choose the original Hannah, the Anna variation, or even Annabelle.

Anne is being discussed in our message boards:

• Names from about 1940
• Names with four levels of formality
• Build a Name Together
• Architect Names, Anyone?
• Names I think are great but can't bring myself to use...

Read Nameberry blog posts about Anne:

• SCOTTISH BABY NAMES: What's 'in' in Inverness?
• VAMPIRE BABY NAMES
• EXOTIC LITE: Girls' Edition
• MIDDLE NAMES: The Strange, The Ordinary, and The Embarrassing
• NAME SHAME