| Anna | Elizabeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | grace, favour | God is my oath |
| Origin | hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AN-uh | ih-LIZ-uh-beth |
| Syllables | 2 | 4 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1918 (15,666) | 1990 (20,750) |
| In 2025 | 2,521 | 6,760 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Anna | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 17,726 | 41,893 |
| 2010s | 51,326 | 94,103 |
| 2000s | 90,325 | 133,568 |
| 1990s | 78,595 | 172,693 |
| 1980s | 57,327 | 198,972 |
| 1970s | 37,813 | 142,845 |
| 1960s | 40,935 | 168,920 |
| 1950s | 41,701 | 165,656 |
| 1940s | 41,282 | 116,551 |
| 1930s | 66,598 | 96,480 |
| 1920s | 123,895 | 139,672 |
| 1910s | 118,998 | 116,811 |
| 1900s | 54,918 | 41,708 |
| 1890s | 55,261 | 33,879 |
| 1880s | 38,159 | 25,006 |
The Greek and Latin form of Hebrew 'Channah' (Hannah), meaning grace or favour. Reached most European languages via the Greek New Testament (the prophetess Anna).
Elizabeth is from the Hebrew Elisheva, “God is my oath.” It has been borne by saints and queens across a thousand years.
Elizabeth is more popular than Anna today: about 6,760 US babies were given the name Elizabeth in 2025, compared with 2,521 named Anna.
Anna means grace, favour (hebrew origin), while Elizabeth means God is my oath (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Anna first appears in 1880 and Elizabeth in 1880, so Anna has the longer recorded history.