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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Anaiah

Anaiah

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-NYE-uh /Ι‘ΛˆnaΙͺ.Ι™/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Anaiah, meaning 'Yahweh has answered', composed of Ana (to answer) and Yah (Yahweh, the Hebrew name of God); a biblical name borne by two men in the books of Nehemiah, now also used for girlsHigh

In 30 seconds: Anaiah is a meaningful Hebrew name meaning Yahweh has answered, carrying the sense of a prayer fulfilled. Historically male in the Bible, it is now used predominantly for girls in the United States.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFrom the Hebrew Anaiah, meaning 'Yahweh has answered', composed of Ana (to answer) and Yah (Yahweh, the Hebrew name of God); a biblical name borne by two men in the books of Nehemiah, now also used for girls
U.S. rank (2025)#853 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births318 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 3,444

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 202519832025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Anaiah is a Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh has answered', from ana (to answer, to respond) and Yah (a contracted form of Yahweh). The name appears twice in the Hebrew Bible: Anaiah the Levite who stood beside Ezra during the reading of the Torah (Nehemiah 8:4), and another Anaiah among those who sealed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:22). In both cases the bearer was male.

In the United States, Anaiah has been adopted primarily as a girls name in the 21st century, reflecting the broad trend of taking traditionally male Hebrew names β€” especially those with the theophoric -iah/-yah suffix β€” and using them for girls. Its soft, three-syllable sound and strong spiritual meaning make it appealing to parents who want a deeply meaningful biblical name.

Did you know? The concept of God answering prayers is one of the most central themes in the Hebrew Bible, and names meaning God has answered β€” like Anaiah, Anaiah, and Hannah (gracious answer) β€” reflect the deeply personal relationship between individuals and the divine in the Israelite religious tradition.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name β€” Anaiah β€” Hebrew etymology and biblical referencesNehemiah 8:4 and 10:22, Hebrew Bible β€” biblical bearer references

Variations

AnaiaAnayahAniah

Nicknames

AnaNaiahNia

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Anaiah (c. 5th century BC)
    Anaiah (Hebrew: Χ’Φ²Χ ΦΈΧ™ΦΈΧ”, meaning Yahweh has answered) is the name of two figures in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Nehemiah: the first stood at Ezra's right hand during the solemn public reading of the Law of Moses before the assembled returned exiles in Jerusalem, one of the defining events of the post-exilic spiritual restoration (Nehemiah 8:4); the second set his seal to the covenant in which the community pledged to keep all of God's commandments and to separate themselves from the peoples of the lands (Nehemiah 10:22). Both appearances place an Anaiah at watershed moments in the rebuilding of Jewish communal life under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah in the fifth century BC. Scholars generally regard the two figures as distinct individuals, as the Ezra-reading assembly and the covenant-signing roster involve different lists of named participants.

If you like Anaiah…

Anayaβ€” shares the Ana- opening and similar three-syllable soft feminine sound
Ariahβ€” fellow Hebrew-rooted -iah name used for girls in modern American culture
Azaiahβ€” same category of biblical theophoric -aiah names now used for girls
Amayahβ€” lands in the same popularity range
Anayahβ€” lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Anaiah

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Anaiah mean?

Anaiah means Yahweh has answered in Hebrew, from ana (to answer) and Yah (God) β€” a name expressing answered prayer.

How do you pronounce Anaiah?

It is said ah-NYE-uh, with three syllables.

Is Anaiah a boys or girls name?

Anaiah appears as a male name in the Bible but is now used primarily for girls in the United States.

Is Anaiah a popular name?

Anaiah is an uncommon but growing name on U.S. charts, particularly among families who value biblical Hebrew names.

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