Names That Mean Grace

This pretty compound name uses the Spanish variations of Anna and Louisa to create a light but powerful name. Artist Analuisa Corrigan, who is in a relationship with actor Logan Lerman might have drawn attention to the name, which has seen a small increase in use in the US in recent years. Ana Luisa is also a jewellery brand, which again might have brought the name into the spotlight. 

Analuisa

This spin on the popular Hannah is widely-used in Europe and pronounced similarly to Hannah. It may also be a short form of Johanne, from John/Joan.

Hanne

There was a time when <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/162/french-names">French names</a> like Annette, Paulette – and Nanette – were chic, but now, we'd have to say "No, no, Nanette".

Nanette

Diminutive form of Anna, pronounced "ah-nee-tsa" in Slovene, Croatian and Serbian and like Annika in Romanian.

Anica

German combo name borne by German Green politician Annalena Baerbock.

Annalena

A compound name that mirrors the cadence of Caroline but with a twist at the end. The name was briefly popular during the 30s and 40s. 

Carolann

Hendel

Not quite Nanette and not quite Ninon, this is one of the more unusual 'ette' options.  There was an eponymous Spanish film, starring Elsa Pataky, based on a novel.

Ninette

Anniken

Anice and Annis are variations of Agnes that have fallen from use, perhaps because of pronunciation issues.  Neither spelling was used for any baby girls in the US in the most recent year counted, though a century ago about 100 girls were called Annis or Anice. Potential pronunciation issues ay keep parents away.

Anice

Aniko has the feel and rhythm of a Japanese name but in fact it's an Eastern European spin on Anna.

Aniko

Mariane

Anka

Dutch, Limburgish and Afrikaans diminutive of Anne.

Anneke

Ayn is a nonconformist name associated with controversial Russian-born writer and philosopher Ayn Rand, (born Alisa) author of The Fountainhead, who adopted it when she moved to the US in 1926.

Typically used as the Spanish and Portuguese form of Hannibal and more traditionally written as as Aníbal, this name has appeared in the US stats for girls a number of times over the years. There are a couple of explanations for this: one is that it is simply the result of data-entry errors, another is that parents were honoring a family name in their daughter's name, while a third is that it was used as a creative respelling on Annabel.


Anibal

One of the oldest and most widely used compound names, now a bit dated but not as much so as its opposite Mary-Ann. The hyphen is optional.

 The meaning of Marie is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Anne-marie

A modern spin on Liana, and Leanne, possible inspired by the Game of Thrones / A Song of Ice and Fire character Lyanna Stark too. Relating back to the climbing plant, the liana, or to the compound Leanne meaning "meadow grace", Lyanni makes a playful, modern twist.
 
The name Lyanni shot up the stats in 2024 when it was given to 43 girls, having only ever appeared in the charts on two other occasions, in 2017 and 2011, when it was given to 6 girls. One possible influence could be Portuguese singer Luciana Abreu and footballer Yannick Djaló, who have a daughter called Lyanni, who has had more of a presence on her mother's social media in recent years.

Lyanni

Predominantly used in Austria, Southern Germany, and Switzerland, Amrei can be viewed as both a contracted form of the classic Annemarie, and as a smoosh name in its own right, blending Anna and Maria. Used since at least the 1850s when it appeared in the short story Barfüßele by German writer Berthold Auerbach, Amrei has a distinctive ending and a lively, slightly off-beat feel.
 
Notable bearers include actress Amrei Haardt and philosopher Amrei Bahr.

Amrei

A beautiful girl name of Afrikaans origin with that loveable "El" beginning.