Ann – Name Meaning
The name Ann is a popular female given name, derived from the Hebrew name Hannah. It is also a variant of the Latin Anna, which means “grace” or “favor”. The name Ann has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages and is still popular today.
Origin and History
The origin of the name Ann can be traced back to the Hebrew language. In Hebrew, the name Hannah means “grace” or “favor”. The name was popularized by the biblical figure Hannah, who was the mother of Samuel in the Old Testament. The name was later adopted by Christians and spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.
In England, the name Ann became popular during the 16th century when Queen Elizabeth I named her daughter Anne after her grandmother, Anne Boleyn. The popularity of the name continued to grow throughout Europe and eventually spread to other parts of the world.
Popularity
The name Ann is still popular today in many English-speaking countries. According to Social Security Administration data, it was one of the top 100 most popular names for girls born in the United States between 2000 and 2009. It is also a popular choice in other countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales.
Famous People Named Ann
There are many famous people who have been given the name Ann over the years. Some notable examples include:
- Anne Boleyn – second wife of King Henry VIII of England
- Anne Frank – Jewish diarist who wrote about her experiences during World War II
- Anne Hathaway – American actress
- Anne Murray – Canadian singer-songwriter
- Ann Coulter – American political commentator
Variations of Ann
The name Ann has several variations that are used in different languages and cultures around the world. Some common variations include: Annette (French), Anneli (Finnish), Annelie (German), Annelise (Danish), Anneliese (German), Anastasia (Greek), Anaïs (French), and Anna (Italian).