Anisa Girl

Popularity: #886 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-NEE-sah /əˈniːsə/

Origin: Arabic; Swahili

Meaning: Arabic: 'compassionate'; Swahili: 'pure'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Anisa has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "anisa," which means "friendly" or "companionable." This term is derived from the Arabic root "n-s," which conveys notions of companionship and sociability. The name has been adopted into various cultures and languages, often retaining its original meaning, and has made its way into English through cultural exchanges and the influence of Arabic on other languages, particularly during the medieval period when Arabic scholarship and culture flourished in Europe.

Historically, the name Anisa has been borne by notable figures in Islamic history, contributing to its cultural significance. The name is often associated with the qualities of kindness and warmth, which are highly valued in many cultures.

In Islamic tradition, names are often chosen for their meanings and the virtues they represent, making Anisa a popular choice among Muslim families. The name has also appeared in various literary and poetic works throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring appeal.

Culturally, Anisa resonates with themes of friendship and community, aligning with the values of hospitality and social bonds prevalent in many societies. The name is sometimes used in conjunction with other names to create compound names that enhance its meaning, although such variations are less common in English-speaking contexts.

Overall, Anisa embodies a rich linguistic heritage and carries with it a sense of warmth and companionship that has allowed it to persist through generations.

Famous people named Anisa

In this section, you will find notable people named Anisa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Anisa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Anisa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Anisa Mehdi is a journalist and filmmaker best known for PBS's America at a Crossroads, The New York Times, and her work on the PBS documentary series, The Secret Life of Muslims.

Anisa M. is a social media influencer and content creator best known for her lifestyle and beauty videos on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Anisa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AminaLaylaZaraFatimaSamiraNadia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Anisa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AlinaElinaAnyaNinaMinaTaniaSaniaKhadija

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Anisa was first seen in the United States in 1958.

Anisa has ranked as high as #1900 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Minnesota, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Anisa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Anisa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Anisa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Anisa.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 62 62
2024 88 88
2023 89 89
2022 79 79
2021 75 75
2020 80 80
2019 86 86
2018 87 87
2017 106 106
2016 87 87
2015 116 116
2014 107 107
2013 134 134
2012 144 144
2011 180 180
2010 131 131
2009 144 144
2008 196 196
2007 181 181
2006 184 184
2005 221 221
2004 207 207
2003 217 217
2002 211 211
2001 174 174
2000 141 141
1999 131 131
1998 167 167
1997 145 145
1996 118 118
1995 121 121
1994 145 145
1993 121 121
1992 73 73
1991 49 49
1990 51 51
1989 42 42
1988 33 33
1987 37 37
1986 40 40
1985 30 30
1984 33 33
1983 29 29
1982 36 36
1981 28 28
1980 49 49
1979 36 36
1978 38 38
1977 34 34
1976 35 35
1975 31 31
1974 34 34
1973 32 32
1972 36 36
1971 43 43
1970 38 38
1969 34 34
1968 47 47
1967 102 102
1966 6 6
1958 7 7

Top States for Anisa (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 14
35%
CA 12
30%
IL 8
20%
WA 6
15%