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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Has Anna had its moment?

58 replies

namewobbles · 15/02/2024 08:36

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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StrawberryPavlova · 15/02/2024 16:03

tutttutt · 15/02/2024 12:27

Are you specifically wanting a name that is popular and often used? Why? I thought the cast majority of people hated the idea of having 5 other kids in the class with the same name.

My sister is Anna and from what I can remember there was only one other in her year group at school. I have two girls myself (primary school age) and am not aware of any Annas in either of their year groups.

MKWarrier · 15/02/2024 14:53

Both lovely but Anna is one of my all time favourite names, so I would go with that. Sadly my DH isn’t a fan so that rules it out for us.

I think both are classic names and unlikely to link someone to a particular point in time.

ClaudiaWankleman · 15/02/2024 14:42

I agree that Anna is lovely, as is Emma.

I'd suggest that the fact it has such a long history as a name suggests it is not dated, but is in fact timeless.

youhavenoidea123 · 15/02/2024 14:34

My DD is called Anna, she is in her 20's now. Lovely name, only one other in her year group at secondary school. I still love it 🥰

TheSameClip · 15/02/2024 14:26

I think Anna is still a complete classic, very pretty and quite underused. Much nicer than Emma, which to me isn’t such a true classic (and was SO common in my 80s primary school, it feels really dated to me).

KirstenBlest · 15/02/2024 14:24

Both are classic and suit any age.

SunshineArmy · 15/02/2024 13:10

I recall reading that the name Annie is on the rise, which could explain a temporary shift away from Anna and Annie. However, Anna is enduring and will continue to be used regardless.

tutttutt · 15/02/2024 12:27

Are you specifically wanting a name that is popular and often used? Why? I thought the cast majority of people hated the idea of having 5 other kids in the class with the same name.

PeatandDieselfan · 15/02/2024 12:23

I know an absolutely lovely 12 year old Anna. She is just too old for her mum to have been inspired by Frozen (although it was a great bonus during her toddler years!) probably there are are few more since then....

KeepSmiling89 · 15/02/2024 12:20

Anna is a beautiful name. A classic name, but definitely not dated.

Emma is a bit meh in my opinion

VincentVanGoth · 15/02/2024 12:18

I know a few children called Annie amongst my children’s peer groups, but none called Anna.

Guavafish1 · 15/02/2024 12:16

classic name

pinkpale · 15/02/2024 12:16

Beautiful name

keirakilaney67 · 15/02/2024 12:15

Well it's not just English is it also Russian (and probably in a few other Slavic languages too).

Dontdeclutterthemagic · 15/02/2024 12:14

I know a range of Annas from 70 to 6 months. It's classic.

Emma had a big moment in the 70s/80s but is still quite popular.

Annie is a bit more on trend but also will date. (I much prefer Anna)

WhatNoUsername · 15/02/2024 12:11

namewobbles · 15/02/2024 08:36

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.

Does it matter? If you like it, use it. It doesn't matter what other people are doing.

Kittythecutest · 15/02/2024 11:40

Anna won’t ever date, it’s timeless.

LondonWasps · 15/02/2024 11:10

No, it’s as lovely as ever.

FairBear · 15/02/2024 11:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

nachocheese · 15/02/2024 10:57

My name is Anna, I love my name. Yes I'm not a child any more, but I don't think it's ever really gone 'out if fashion' as other names tend to do.

TM1979 · 15/02/2024 10:06

My mother is Anna. Beautiful name. DD1 has it as her middle name. Was popular in the early 2000’s I think. There was a few in DD’s primary, say around 2005 ish.
I also love Emma. Timeless name. Never used it cos it didn’t go with our surname. Too many M’s!

0rganisedchaos · 15/02/2024 10:02

We named our DD (4 months) Anna, we have had lots of compliments on it. I think it's a timeless name that suits all stages of life, as does Emma, and neither are particularly common or overused these days.

NachosAndCheese · 15/02/2024 09:56

I love it. There’s an Anna in my DC’s year at school.

Moonafil · 15/02/2024 09:36

NoCloudsAllowed · 15/02/2024 08:50

Anna is so dated. I mean, since the Virgin Mary's grandmother Ismeria used it for the Virgin Mary's mother, Anna has gone right out of fashion

Maybe you should use Ismeria instead OP

Show quote history

But Mary did date. Timeless classics can still date if they go through a period of overuse. But they always come back round. I wouldn’t put Anna in this category of overuse though, I think it’s still very useable (and lovely) OP.

daisypond · 15/02/2024 08:54

Lovely name. Doesn’t really date, though there were times when Anne/Ann were more used - so I suppose Anna might have seemed old-fashioned when that was the case.