Girl New Testament Rare
Anna
gracious; one who gives
Ἄννα Anna
Anna (Greek: Ἄννα, Anna) means “gracious; one who gives”, by traditional interpretation. It appears once, at Luke 2:36. In 2025 it was given to 2,521 children in the United States, ranking 107. Use is falling away. Around 917,615 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Asher in Luke 2.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Anna
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 1 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
- Hapax
- Yes occurs exactly once
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 2,521 | Falling |
| All-time total | 917,615 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 15,697 in 1918 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Luke 2:36 |
| Cross-references | 22 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Phanuel co-occurrence Appears with Phanuel in Luke 2.
- Quirinius co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Quirinius.
- Simeon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Simeon.
- Asher co-occurrence Appears with Asher in Luke 2.
- Augustus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Augustus.
- Joseph co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Joseph.
- Mary co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Mary.
Origin & meaning
Ἄννα, -ας, ἡ (Heb. חָנָה),
Anna, a prophetess: Luk.2:36.†
(AS)
Anna, a prophetess and widow, witnessed the dedication of the infant Jesus in the temple and spoke about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
The biblical story
Anna was a prophetess mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. She was the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. At the time of Jesus' birth, Anna was an elderly widow who had been married for seven years before her husband died, and she had remained a widow for eighty-four years. She was known for her devotion to God, as she never left the temple but worshiped day and night, fasting and praying.
When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple to dedicate Him according to the law, Anna was present. Upon seeing Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Her prophetic insight allowed her to recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, and she shared this knowledge with others who were eagerly anticipating God's redemptive work through Him.
Key verses
Anna appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luke 2:36
Show all 1 reference
Luke (1)
- Luke 2:36
Name variants & nicknames
- Ann — English form
- Anne — English form
- Annie — nickname
- Ana — Spanish & Portuguese
- Hannah — Hebrew origin (Channah)