Alternatives to Anna

Deriving from either Abena, which is the traditional name for Tuesday-born daughters, or as a variation of Aba, meaning "born on Thursday", Abba is a name of African origin with a concise but energetic sound. Not to be confused with the Swedish pop group or the Semitic name or title meaning "Father", Abba appeared in the US charts for girls for the first time in nearly a century in 2023.

Abra is soft, sensitive feminine form of Abraham that was the name of a soft, sensitive character in the John Steinbeck book and movie, "East of Eden." In the bible, Abra was a favorite of King Solomon and it was a popular name in seventeenth century England. Abra is also a West African name used for girls born on Tuesday. The magical 'abracadabra' is thought to have originated in the Aramaic language.

Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.

Adda is an ancient feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Welsh tradition, it derives from the name Adam, meaning "earth" or "mankind." In Germanic usage, it may be a diminutive of Adelaide, meaning "noble kind." The name also appears in Scandinavian countries and has historical usage in Eastern Europe. Adda is notable for its simplicity and symmetry, featuring just two syllables with repeated consonants. Despite its historical roots, the name remains uncommon in contemporary English-speaking countries. Adda carries a gentle sound with vintage charm, appealing to parents seeking a short, distinctive name with cross-cultural significance. Its brevity and easy pronunciation make it accessible across language barriers.

Adna is a feminine name with ancient roots and cross-cultural significance. In Hebrew, it means 'pleasure' or 'delight,' while in Bosnian it's associated with 'paradise.' The name appears in the Bible as a male name belonging to several minor figures, but in modern usage, it's more commonly given to girls. Adna has maintained a consistent presence across several cultures, particularly in the Balkans and Middle East. Its brevity and melodic quality make it accessible across language barriers. The name's simple two-syllable structure and soft consonants give it a gentle, flowing quality. Despite its ancient origins, Adna feels contemporary and distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell.

Adra is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Arabic 'Adhra,' meaning 'virgin' or 'pure,' or could be connected to the Hebrew 'Aderet,' meaning 'cloak' or 'glory.' Some sources suggest it might be a shortened form of names like Alexandra or Adriana, or possibly derived from an ancient settlement in Spain. The name's brevity gives it a modern, streamlined quality despite its potentially ancient roots. Adra is uncommon in most countries, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking individuality. The name has a strong yet feminine quality with its balanced sounds and straightforward pronunciation. Its cross-cultural possibilities make it versatile across different linguistic and cultural contexts, while its shortness makes it practical and contemporary.

A bright-sounding name with multicultural appeal, used regularly as a first name in Japan, Scandinavia, Latvia, and Spain.

More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity. One of the most popular baby names in Ireland, Aine's spelling and pronunciation might seem simple but could prove confusing in the U.S.

This beautiful Basque name is sitting just inside the Top 1000 with its more popular spelling, Ainhoa. Ainhoa is the name of the French town where a vision of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. The spelling Ainoa was only given to a few dozen baby girls in 2022.

The extra n makes it feel less like an feminization of Alan and more like a name unto itself. Alanna is more common in Puerto Rico than the original Alana.

A short form of Alexandra and Alice used everywhere from Russia to Spain. A fresh alternative to Allie.

An anagram of Mama, in tune with its Tamil meaning.

A sleek Arabic name common in Bosnia and Herzegovina and also regularly used in the UK, Amna has a very international sound and sweet meaning.

Anaya is a spelling variant of Inaya , a name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat.

Anca is a feminine name with Romanian and Eastern European origins. In Romanian culture, where it's most commonly found, Anca functions as a standalone name rather than a diminutive. It may have evolved from the name Anna or as a shortened form of names containing the 'anc' sound. With its crisp, clean sound and symmetrical structure, Anca has maintained popularity in Romania and neighboring countries. The name is appreciated for its simplicity and elegance, featuring just two syllables with a melodic quality. Outside Eastern Europe, Anca remains relatively uncommon but is easily pronounced in most languages. The name carries connotations of strength and femininity in Romanian culture, though it lacks specific etymological meaning beyond its possible connection to Anna (meaning 'grace').

This simple unisex Vietnamese name has multiple possible meanings, including "hero", "petal", "brave", "bright", depending on the characters used to write it.

Ania is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly popular in Poland and other Eastern European countries. It functions as a diminutive form of Anna, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' The name features a straightforward pronunciation (AHN-yah or AHN-ee-ah, depending on regional accents) that travels well across language boundaries despite its specific cultural roots. Ania has a delicate, feminine quality while maintaining simplicity and brevity. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it has gained some recognition with increased global cultural awareness. The name carries the warmth and timeless quality of its root name Anna while offering a fresh, slightly exotic alternative that's still easy to pronounce and spell.

This pretty palindrome name is rarely heard in the US, but could make an interesting namesake for an aunt or grandma Ann. It's also a German diminutive form of Anna.

Once a Top 100 name, this Spanish diminutive of Ana still retains some of her Latin flair. A notable namesake is noted attorney Anita Hill, another is the great jazz singer Anita O'Day. Plus there's Disney cred via the lead human character in 101 Dalmatians.

Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.