Anja Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Anja is a name of Slavic origin, derived from the Hebrew Channah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor'. It evolved through historical forms such as Anna in Latin. The name is associated with elegance and modernity and has gained popularity in the 20th century. It does not have specific biblical relevance, and notable figures with this name include models and actresses.
The name Anja is most popular in Minnesota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Anja has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Anja' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 9454th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3149th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3455th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2284th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2992nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Anja' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Anja"
Pronunciation
/ˈɑːnjə/
Origin
Slavic
Etymology
Anja is a diminutive form of Anna, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Channah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor'.
Meaning
grace, favor
Language Evolution
Channah (Hebrew), Anna (Latin), Anja (Slavic)
Historical Usage
Anja gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in Scandinavian and Slavic countries, as a variation of Anna.
Variants & Derivatives
Anna, Anya, Ana
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Anja is perceived as a modern and elegant name, popular in various cultures, especially in Europe.
Famous People
Anja Rubik (Polish supermodel), Anja Kling (German actress), Anja Schneider (German DJ and producer)
Explore More Anja Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Anja"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Anja"
"Anja" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 9454th of 12526 | 18 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3149th of 19264 | 350 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3455th of 27321 | 464 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2284th of 35406 | 1,259 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2992nd of 30306 | 670 |
Regional Popularity of "Anja" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Anja" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
87.88% 3061st/3483 |
95.37% 3355th/3518 |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
100.00% 3685th/3685 |
- |
83.13% 4318th/5194 |
57.84% 3654th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
34.22% 1568th/4582 |
54.12% 2795th/5164 |
64.93% 4748th/7313 |
27.83% 2077th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
52.28% 2083rd/3984 |
61.47% 2758th/4487 |
87.73% 5985th/6822 |
44.30% 2780th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Anja"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Anja" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.