Has Anna had its moment?

namewobbles · 2024-02-15T08:36:52+00:00

For months I've been set on Emma, now the time is nearly here I'm not sure if I'm really sure. I thought of Anna but haven't heard it used on a child lately.

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CheshireCat1 · 16/02/2024 11:24

Anna is a beautiful name.

KirstenBlest · 16/02/2024 11:16

@Mittens1717 , I'd say that them not being frilly is the appeal.
More no-nonsense names are coming in as a trend -Margot, Erin etc

ClaudiaWankleman · 16/02/2024 10:57

SueBranchers · 15/02/2024 23:15

Anna is lovely! Emma is more dated IMO due to the Jane Austen novel, “Emma”. It also sounds a bit chewy and gummy in the mouth, if you know what I mean! Anna rolls off the tongue, and is bright and sunshiny! It is still very in; there are 4 Annas in my DD’s class at primary.

Chewy and gummy? Come off it.

Unless you also agree Branchers sounds like a non verbal child learning to blow a raspberry.

Mittens1717 · 16/02/2024 09:58

I find Anna very boring, I would go with Emma

KirstenBlest · 16/02/2024 08:42

@SueBranchers , by your logic Adam and Eve must be the most dated names around.

Jane Austen's Emma was published in 1815
Anna Karenina was published in 1878, and Anna of the Five Towns in 1910.

Neither name is dated, they are both classic.

Hankthehonk · 16/02/2024 05:06

It's a beautiful, timeless name.
I was quite surprised that in the group from a pre natal class we went to, of eight couples, two of them named their babies Anna. This is babies born in the last month.
Not sure if that indicates a trend or just pure coincidence!

SueBranchers · 15/02/2024 23:15

Anna is lovely! Emma is more dated IMO due to the Jane Austen novel, “Emma”. It also sounds a bit chewy and gummy in the mouth, if you know what I mean! Anna rolls off the tongue, and is bright and sunshiny! It is still very in; there are 4 Annas in my DD’s class at primary.

AnnaAndProudOfIt · 15/02/2024 22:39

My name is Anna & I'm named after 'anaesthetic'.
Throughout the pregnancy, my parents had been thinking of calling me Emma.
Due to Mum's health, I was an emergency c-section.
When Mum was in recovery, the nurses were reassuring her that all was well 'you're just coming round from the anaesthetic, you have a daughter, what do you want to call her?'
She heard 'anaesthetic' & muttered 'Anna'.
So Anna it was.

I've changed my name for this thread as if you're good friends me or my Mum, you will know the story.

I was born early 1970s - there were quite a few 'Anna's around but you don't hear it so much nowadays.
My name has aged a lot better than me...

overthestorms · 15/02/2024 22:30

Love Anna! Had my DS (4) been a girl he'd have been Anna. It's a beautiful and timeless name.

liveforsummer · 15/02/2024 22:30

I work in a primary school and we have a few dc with both names throughout school so they are still being used. Dd13 had 3 Anna's in her class throughout primary so they were/are known as Anna G, Anna S etc I'd not say dated or especially unusual

HBGKC · 15/02/2024 22:11

I prefer Anna (and have one, in her 20's).

houseydncf · 15/02/2024 22:08

Both are gorgeous. I think Anna has the edge for me, but Emma is equally beautiful.

VERYBRUISEDPEAR · 15/02/2024 22:07

There's an Anna in my child's nursery class - I think it's lovely

(Fwiw there's also a Mary)

ClemmyTine · 15/02/2024 21:52

Yes it has. It sounds like bananna, definitely don't call your child that. Emma sounds like a mattress , don't call your child that either.

Blimey, just call your child what you want to.

coolcahuna · 15/02/2024 21:43

I'm called Anna and I absolutely love it, I think it's timeless. I only know one other Anna, I don't know any small Anna's. I also really like Emma.

Donoteven · 15/02/2024 21:35

I don't think names can have their moments. Even a faddy name lasts the lifetimes of its recipients. Anna has been a classic for centuries.

FlatWhite2 · 15/02/2024 21:27

Both Emma and Anna are sweet. What about Annie or Annabelle?

Whyhellodaffodil · 15/02/2024 19:36

Anna is a lovely name, and timeless imo, and there are two in my DDs class at school.

dancinginthewind · 15/02/2024 19:33

Like others have said, I think it's timeless. Personally, I have always preferred Emma but, with the number of children called Emily, Emilia and similar, I'd go for Anna now

gano · 15/02/2024 19:24

I really like the name Anna and it's classic, so won't date. I prefer Anna to Emma.

Fifthtimelucky · 15/02/2024 19:18

I love Anna and don't think it is dated in the way that Anne and Ann are.

I also like Emma, but prefer Anna.

Clearinguptheclutter · 15/02/2024 18:57

I prefer Anna over Emma

I don’t know any small Annas, would be nice to have more of them

I’m currently obsessed with Downton and Anna makes me think of the character, but it’s not a bad connotation

ReadtheReviews · 15/02/2024 18:54

Prefer Anna to Emma. Looks and sounds nicer.

Pemba · 15/02/2024 18:25

Anna is my favourite girls' name, a classic of course, and one of the few names that can truly be called timeless imo. Everybody knows it and yet it has never been overpopular. It's simple,strong yet feminine and also a well known name internationally. So don't worry that 'It's had its day'!

I do like Emma as well though, also simple, pretty and classic, although slightly more in and out of fashion than Anna.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/02/2024 16:06

Anna is a classic name which certainly hasn't had its moment. Emma is also lovely - a bit out of fashion now but there are lots of Emmes around, so a little Emma would be nice actually.