Ana

♀ Girl

Pronounced AH-nuh /ˈɑː.nə/High

Meaning: Grace, favor; Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna, from Hebrew HannahHigh

In 30 seconds: The Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna and Hannah, meaning 'grace.' Minimal and elegant, Ana is one of the most widely used feminine names across Latin America and the world.

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Origin HighHebrew, Spanish, Portuguese

MeaningGrace, favor; Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna, from Hebrew Hannah

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 100,329

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ana is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna, which derives from the Hebrew name Channah (Hannah), meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' It was also the name traditionally given to the mother of the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition. As a simple, universally legible name, Ana has been in continuous use across the Hispanic world for centuries.

Ana is a top-five girls' name in Spain and Portugal and widely popular across Latin America. In the United States it ranks consistently in the top 300, especially in communities with Spanish-speaking heritage. Its streamlined single-syllable-per-vowel structure fits perfectly with contemporary minimalist naming aesthetics.

Did you know? Ana without the final H is the standard spelling in Spanish, Portuguese, and many other languages — making it arguably the most internationally used version of the name that English-speakers know as Ann or Anna.

Variations

AnnaHannahAnnAnya

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ana de Armas (b. 1988)
Cuban-Spanish actress known for <em>Knives Out</em> and the James Bond film <em>No Time to Die</em>.

If you like Ana…

Anna— the double-n spelling of the same name

Emma— short, classic, international girls' name equally beloved

Mia— similarly minimalist vowel-rich girls' name at the top of charts

Sara— same minimal two-syllable classic feel with Spanish/international use

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ana mean?

Ana is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna, meaning 'grace' or 'favor' from Hebrew Hannah.

How do you pronounce Ana?

Ana is pronounced AH-nuh (/ˈɑː.nə/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Ana a boy or girl name?

Ana is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Ana?

Ana is a top-five name in Spain and Portugal, and a consistent top-300 name in the United States, popular in Hispanic communities.