Ann Name Meaning: Namesakes, History & Middle Names

What Does Ann Mean?

Ann is a classic and strong girl name. The name Ann means “grace.”

Ann is a shortened version of the name Anna, a Latinized version of the Hebrew name Hannah. The name Hannah relates to the Hebrew word hanan, which translates to “he was gracious” or “graciousness” ⁽¹⁾.

The name Ann is culturally associated with Biblical figures that bore the name Hannah or Ann. In the Hebrew Bible, Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. The biblical character of Hannah represents strong faith and receiving favor from God.

In a Christian context, the name Ann connects to the Prophet Anna, who appears in the Gospel. The name Ann also has a religious connection to Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, who is an apocryphal figure in the Christian and Islamic traditions ⁽²⁾.

What Is the Origin of the Name Ann?

The name Ann has extremely old origins. It comes from the Hebrew feminine name Hannah derived from the Hebrew word hanan, which means “graciousness.”

As Greek and Latin became culturally dominant languages, particularly within Christian communities, it became more common for Hannah to translate as Anna. With the spread of Roman Christianity, the Latin version of the name became broadly popular, particularly in French and English-speaking cultures.

Although Anna is the traditional Latin girl’s name, the French version, Anne, gained popularity in French and English communities ⁽³⁾. Over time, Ann became a common shortened version of Anne.

How Popular is the Name Ann?

Ann is a somewhat popular name. As of today, the name Ann remains in the top one thousand most popular baby girl names in the United States ⁽⁴⁾.

During the twentieth century, Ann was a widely popular name. The name’s sharp decline only occurred within the last 50 years. The highest peak in the name Ann’s popularity was in 1936 when it was the twenty-eighth most popular baby girl name in the United States.

How Do I Pronounce Ann?

Ann is pronounced like “AN.” When spoken out loud, the name Ann should rhyme with the words can, tan, ban, and man.

Is Ann a Boy or Girl Name?

Ann is traditionally a girl name. The name Ann comes from the name Hannah, which is a feminine Hebrew name strongly associated with female biblical figures.

Although Ann is overwhelmingly more common as a name for girls, contemporary naming practices provide a lot of flexibility when it comes to gender. Ann has the potential to be a masculine or gender-neutral name.

Variations of Ann

There are several variations of the name Ann including:

• Ana (Slavik)
• Anna (English)
• Anne (French)
• Annelien (Dutch)
• Chanah (Hebrew)
• Ganna (Ukrainian)
• Hanna (German)
• Hannah (Hebrew)
• Hanne (Danish)
• Henda (Yiddish)
• Hene (Yiddish)
• Henye (Yiddish)
• Jana (Serbian)
• Ona (Lithuanian)

Nicknames for Ann

There are many cute nicknames and diminutive forms of the name Ann. Here are some nickname ideas for Ann:

• Ani
• Anika
• Anita
• Anja
• Anka
• Anke
• Annetta
• Annette
• Anni
• Annie
• Anny
• Anoushka
• Anu
• Nan
• Nance
• Nancie
• Nancy
• Nannie
• Nettie
• Nita

Similar Names to Ann

If you are interested in names like Ann, consider those with a similar aesthetic and sound. Some names similar are:

• Abbey
• Adalynn
• Ainsley
• Alana
• Alani
• Alex
• Alice
• Alison
• Ally
• Andrea
• Annabelle
• Annalise
• April
• Aubrey
• Ava
• Avery

Middle Names for Ann

One approach for picking a middle name for Ann is to think of sweet, trendy girl names that help modernize the name. Some middle name ideas for Ann include:

• Blair
• Delaney
• Emery
• Harlow
• Hayden
• Kayla
• Layla
• Leighton
• Luna
• Madison
• Olivia
• Parker
• Penelope
• Presley
• Riley
• Scarlett
• Skylar
• Sofia
• Taylor
• Teagan

Sibling Names for Ann

Many names work well as sibling names for Ann. Some people like to choose other traditional biblical names or names with similar sounds.

• Aaron
• Adam
• Bethany
• Candace
• Chloe
• Claudia
• David
• Deborah
• Elizabeth
• Esther
• Gabriel
• Isaac
• Jacob
• James
• Joanna
• John
• Judith
• Leah
• Luke
• Mark
• Mary
• Matthew
• Miriam
• Peter

Famous People Named Ann

Various people throughout history have been named Ann. One example is Ann-Margret, a Swedish-American actress who was popular in the mid-twentieth century. Other examples of famous people named Ann include:

• Ann Bancroft: Author, teacher, and public speaker.
• Ann Chaintreuil: Architect.
• Ann Curry: Journalist.
• Ann Flagg: Playwright and actress.
• Ann Getty: Philanthropist.
• Ann Martin: Author of the “Baby-Sitters Club” series.
• Ann Romney: Public figure and wife of Mitt Romney.

Ann in Popular Culture

The name Ann and other variations thereof is frequently used in works of fiction. Some examples of Ann in popular culture include:

• Ann Darrow: Character in “King Kong.”
• Anne Elliot: Character in Jane Austen’s “Persuasion.”
• Anne Lewis: Character in the “Robocop” franchise.
• Ann Perkins: Character in the television series “Parks and Recreation.”
• Anne Shirley: Titular character in “Anne of Green Gables.”
• Raggedy Ann: Ragdoll character from the classic children’s series.

Ann FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the name Ann.