Anja Girl

Popularity: #913 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AHN-yah /ˈɑːn.jə/

Origin: Slavic; Scandinavian

Meaning: Gracious; merciful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Anja has its roots in the Hebrew name Hannah, which means "grace" or "favor." This name was adopted into Greek as Ἄννα (Anna) and subsequently into Latin as Anna. The name became popular in various forms across Europe, including the Slavic variant Anja, which is particularly prevalent in countries such as Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

The transition into English occurred through the influence of various European languages, particularly during the Middle Ages, when biblical names gained prominence due to the spread of Christianity and the translation of religious texts. Historically, the name Anna has been borne by several notable figures, including Anna of Austria, the queen consort of Louis XIII of France in the 17th century, and Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, who is venerated in Christian traditions.

The name appears in various biblical translations, including the King James Bible, which contributed to its enduring presence in Christian communities. The name Anja, as a derivative, emerged in the 19th century, reflecting the cultural and linguistic shifts in Eastern and Central Europe.

Culturally, Anja carries connotations of grace and favor, resonating with its etymological roots. In Slavic cultures, the name is often associated with warmth and kindness, reflecting traditional values of familial and social harmony.

The diminutive form Anya is also common, further emphasizing the name's affectionate and approachable nature. Overall, Anja encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, making it a name with deep historical roots.

Famous people named Anja

In this section, you will find notable people named Anja. 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 Anja who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Anja 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.

Anja Rubik is a model and philanthropist best known for her work with Victoria's Secret, her appearances in Vogue, and her advocacy for various social causes.

Anja Kling is an actress best known for her roles in the films 'Komm, süsser Tod', 'Die Welle', and the television series 'Der letzte Bulle'.

Anja Schneider is a DJ and music producer best known for her work in the electronic music scene and her label Mobilee Records.

Sibling suggestions

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

AnnaMajaLinaSofiaKiraElenaNina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Anja. 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.

AylaAlinaMiraTanjaKajaZaraNinaLara

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Anja was first seen in the United States in 1962.

Anja has ranked as high as #2997 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, and New York.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Anja 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 Anja 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 Anja.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 35 35
2024 48 48
2023 51 51
2022 50 50
2021 46 46
2020 53 53
2019 57 57
2018 45 45
2017 64 64
2016 72 72
2015 73 73
2014 49 49
2013 62 62
2012 87 87
2011 81 81
2010 84 84
2009 80 80
2008 73 73
2007 99 99
2006 122 122
2005 84 84
2004 87 87
2003 80 80
2002 109 109
2001 72 72
2000 66 66
1999 61 61
1998 44 44
1997 30 30
1996 55 55
1995 27 27
1994 39 39
1993 21 21
1992 39 39
1991 40 40
1990 44 44
1989 32 32
1988 26 26
1987 20 20
1986 20 20
1985 25 25
1984 19 19
1983 20 20
1982 21 21
1981 17 17
1980 16 16
1979 14 14
1978 17 17
1977 14 14
1976 14 14
1975 16 16
1974 19 19
1973 12 12
1972 23 23
1971 39 39
1970 27 27
1969 23 23
1968 29 29
1967 26 26
1966 20 20
1965 41 41
1964 11 11
1962 7 7

Top States for Anja (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
MN 6
55%
WA 5
45%