Gorgeous, Inventive Baby Names Related to Annie and Anna

Annie names and Anna names range from straightforward classics to fanciful imports, plus everything in between.

It’s been in use as a name for millennia. In the Old Testament, the name is usually Hannah, a Hebrew name meaning grace. In the New Testament, it’s the name of a prophetess, though the most famous figure is the mother of the Virgin Mary, called Saint Anne or Saint Anna, depending on language and time.

The most famous bearer of the name Annie is fictional. The comic strip turned Broadway musical has twice been re-invented for the big screen.

In 2014, Quvenzhané Wallis played the optimistic orphan – now a foster kid. Jamie Foxx became a re-imagined Daddy Warbucks, now named Will Stacks. In real life, Jamie is dad to daughter Annalise.

A year earlier, the name Anna appeared in blockbuster Disney movie Frozen. She’s the little sister of ice queen Elsa. Princess Anna of Arendelle became a childhood fixture, bolstered by a 2019 sequel, a themed ride at Disney parks, and one more installment in the series in the works. 

So Anna names and Annie names?

They’re everywhere.

Saints and queens have answered to Ann. It feels spare and elegant, whether spelled the English Ann or the French Anne-with-an-e. Anne of Green Gables insisted on the latter, but also asked to be called Cordelia, because “Anne is such an unromantic name.”

Anna is the Top 100 favorite of our moment, at least in the US.

Annie feels a little different. A Top 100 name from the nineteenth century into the 1940s, it even appeared in the US Top Ten for a few years. Annie reads casual and sparky. There’s the comic strip character, but also Annie Oakley, fictionalized in Annie Get Your Gun.

In England, Annie currently outranks Anna.

Annie names go farther than Ann, Anna, and Anne, offering even more inventive ways to reach the nickname.

OBVIOUS ANNIE NAMES

ANN and ANNE

The two spellings trade places over the years, with Ann on top sometimes, and trailing at others. Strictly speaking, the ‘e’ version is French, but Ann, Anne, Annie, and other forms can be found in English from the Middle Ages through the present day. In recent decades, Anne leads in the US. It’s also common as a middle name.

ANA and ANNA

Another subtle spelling difference separates two obvious Annie names. The Old Testament Channah became Hannah, and eventually Anna, especially in the New Testament. Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina makes it literary, while Disney’s Frozen places it among the Disney princesses. Spell it Ana, and the name leans Spanish and Portuguese, though Ana is also preferred in some southern European languages.

ANNIE

While the early years of Social Security data aren’t terribly reliable, women have been named just Annie over the years. In the 2014 version of the story, the title character’s legal name is Annie Bennett.

THE DIMINUTIVES

Plenty of languages create diminutives – affectionate, nickname forms – by adding syllables. Think of -ita and -ette. Instead of lengthening, American English speakers typically reduce names. Many of these options started out as nicknames in other languages. But it would be easy to imagine these serving as formal names for Annie instead.

ANNELLE

It could be an Anne-Nelle combination, but adding -elle and -ella is another way to form a diminutive. Novel-turned-1989 movie Steel Magnolias included a character by the name.

ANNETTE

A 1950s favorite, Mickey Mouse Club member Annette Funicello boosted her name. That makes it feel a little dated today, but French names and -et/-ette names for girls both have potential. In Italy, Annetta is sometimes heard.

ANITA, ANETA

Another 1950s and 60s favorite, Anita might appeal for another reason. It’s also the feminine form of Sanskrit name Anit. Some languages spell it Aneta instead.

ANIKA, ANNIKA

Annika is Swedish, but this name can also be spelled Anika and even Anica. Anika, with a single K, is seen in German and Polish, as well as other European languages. When spelled with a single K, the name also claims Sanskrit roots, making it a strong cross cultural option. Pro golfer Annika Sorenstam, actor Anika Noni Rose of Dreamgirls and The Princess and the Frog fame are just two familiar figures.

ANISSA

Arabic name Anisa has separate roots, but Anissa has ranked in the US Top 1000 occasionally since the 1960s, fueled by Anna names and similar sounds, like Vanessa. American actress Anissa Jones, who starred as the little girl on Family Affair, boosted her unusual name.

THE SMOOSHES: ANNA-PLUS NAMES

ANNABEL, ANNABELLA, and ANNABELLE

Part-Edgar Allan Poe tragedy, part-pretty, Annabelle is an easy way to get to Annie … or Bella or Belle. The -elle spelling is more popular today, but Annabel had a good run, too. Annabella has also ranked in the US Top 1000 during the twenty-first century.

ANNABETH

An Anne-Elizabeth mash-up, Annabeth makes this list thanks to the Percy Jackson series. As fans of the YA books and adaptations know, she’s the daughter of Athena.

ANNAGRACE

An obvious smoosh of two classic girl names, with a twist: Anna means grace.

ANNALEE, ANALEE, ANNALIE, ANNELIE, ANNELI, and ANELIE

Depending on the spelling, this name can feel like an Anna-Lee combination, or maybe an elaboration in the key of Rosalie. Germans use Annelie as a nickname for Anneliese. Of course, spelling options abound.

ANNELINE

Emmeline is familiar, while Anneline remains relatively rare.

ANNALISE, ANNELIESE, ANNELISE and ANNALISA

Anneliese comes from German, a smoosh of Anne and Elizabeth. Phonetically, Anneliese sounds more like Annalisa, but most American parents prefer a three-syllable pronunciation: Annalise. Viola Davis played Annalise – three syllables – for six seasons in How to Get Away With Murder.

ANNAMARIE, ANAMARIA, and ANNEMARIE

It doesn’t get much more classic than Ann and Mary, and the two names have been combined many ways over the ages. At five syllables, Annamaria is among the longest of girl names, but still feels easy to pronounce.

ANNEGRET

Take Anne, add Margaret, and you’ll arrive at this German double name.

ANNEMIEKE

This delightfully Dutch Annie name sounds more like Anna-Mika, emphasis on the ME in the third syllable. It looks bold and modern, but it’s actually yet another take on Anne plus Mary. Mieke is a Dutch diminutive for Maria. Completely unexpected and so appealing. (Thanks to Kendall for suggesting this addition!)

ANNEMOR

A Scandi smoosh of Anne with the word mor – mother. Nordic Names lists Annemo and Annimor, too, but they’re all quite rare.

ANNAROSE

While Annarose isn’t a terribly common smoosh among Annie names, it works beautifully – as a first or a middle.

ANNEGRET

Push Anne and Margaret together, drop a few syllables, and Annegret is the result. It’s used in German, as well as Scandinavian languages.

MARIANA, MARIANNA, and MARIANNE

Annemarie in reverse. A figure known as Marianne is the personification of France. Worth noting: plenty of Marys are actually Mary Anne – first and middle – making this combination potentially even more popular.

THE IMPORTS

ANAÏS

A French form of Anne, Anaïs Nin made it familiar. It’s more common in France, but American parents are warming to the name lately, too, though it’s officially just Anais in English. Pronounce it ah nah EES. 

ANISETTE

An anise-flavored liqueur, Anisette is a cousin to both absinthe and sambuca. That makes it an unusual choice for a daughter’s name, but it still seems more subtle than Brandy. And it’s sometimes heard, as in former Danish figure skate Anisette Torp-Lind, who competed in the 1990s.

ANOUK

Also used in French, as well as Dutch, Anouk sounds distinctive but accessible in English. You might recognize it thanks to French actor Anouk Aimee.

ANNEKE

Another Dutch entry in the Annie names category, formed by adding the popular -ke ending to Anne.

ANYA, ANJA, and ANNUSHKA

Anya and Anja appear in many European languages, while Annushka is mostly used in Russia. Like Annie, they’re often nicknames in their own right. Of course, that probably makes them equivalents of Annie, rather than formal name options.

NOT EXACTLY ANNES

Lots of girls’ names include the ann sound, but aren’t necessarily Annie names. Here are just a few of the more popular options.

ANACLET, ANACLETTE

This isn’t an Ann- name at all, not really. It comes from the Greek name Anacletus, meaning invoked. During the first century, Pope Anacletus served as the bishop of Rome – though he’s often called just Cletus now. Anaclette is a French feminine form, rare, but surprisingly pretty.

ANASTASIA

A Greek name meaning resurrection, Anastasia brings to mind a doomed Russian princess. And, of course, there’s the animated musical with a much happier ending, very loosely based on her life.

ANCELLE, ANCILLA

Just like the traditional name Agnes is often associated with the Latin phrase “agnus dei” or “lamb of God,” Ancilla probably comes from “ancilla dei” or “handmaid of God.” It also seems like a feminine form of Ansel or Anselm. Or maybe even Hansel – ultimately a diminutive form of John – if you drop the H.

ANDREA

A feminine form of Andrew, Andrea peaked around 1980. But Annie works every bit as well as Andi or Drea if you’re after a nickname to fresh things up.

ANICE, ANISE, ANNIS

Strictly speaking, Annis is a medieval English form of Agnes. Anise likely comes from the herb. Anice is occasionally seen, too, though the name’s origins are even more obscure.

ANISTON, ANNISTON

Fun fact: Anniston, Alabama is named for Annie Tyler. It literally means “Annie’s Town.” But the name’s more recent use probably has more to do with actress Jennifer Aniston, and the name’s similarity to favorites like Addison.

ANNECY

Located in the French Alps, pronounce the town of Annecy like ANN-ah-SEE. While it’s a place name, it would’ve been something like Anericiacum in Latin, which may have come from a Germanic personal name.

ANTONIA and ANTONELLA

While we rarely think of it, any of the feminine forms of Anthony could easily become Annie names.

HANA, HANNA, HANNAH

A favorite name in recent years, Hannah is closer to the original Hebrew form of the name. Hanna is another spelling used in several European languages, as is Hana. But Hana can also be Arabic, Korean, or Japanese, to name just a few. The simplest spelling travels well.

ANNIE NAMES FROM THE LAST SYLLABLE

Too many names end with -ana or -anna to count, and they could all easily become Annie names.

ADRIANA, ADRIANNA, ADRIANE, ADRIANNE

Popular in recent years and easily shortened to Annie.

ALANA and ALANNA

Feminine forms of Alan, or a twist on so many popular names for girls starting with Al, from Alina to Alessandra and more.

ARIANA and ARIANNA

Chart-topping favorites of recent years, Ariana and Arianna fit this pattern perfectly.

AVIANA and AVIANNA

Another elaboration using Anna names.

ELIANA, ELIANE, ELIANNA, ELLIANA, and ELLIANNA

Often an Ellie-Anna combination, though Eliane can ultimately come from the Greek sun god Helios.

GIANNA, GIOVANNA, and JOANNA

Feminine forms of John, Gianna and Joanna easily shorten to Annie – though it’s probably more common to call them Gia or Jo instead.

JULIANA, JULIANNA and JULIANNE

Any of the longer forms of Julia might lend themselves to this nickname.

LEANNA, LIANNA, LYANNA

Call them the opposite of Annalee and company. Smoosh Lee and Anna in reverse order, and you’ll arrive at this set of names. The Lyanna spelling, of course, is a little different – it’s pronounced with an ‘eye’ instead of an ‘ee’ sound, and feels very Game of Thrones.

LILIANA, LILIANE, LILIANNA, LILLIANA, LILLIANNA

Heard across Europe as a form of Lily, or possibly an elaboration of Lilia.

SAVANNAH

A place name that just happens to end with the Anna sound, that’s probably why Savannah has long felt like a wearable choice for a daughter.

SUSANNA and SUSANNAH

Because of that -anna ending, Susanna fits on this list.

Do you have a favorite Anna name or Annie name?

First published on January 2, 2015, this post was revised on June 17, 2020; January 16, 2025; and July 2, 2025.