"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age... which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
Biblical Name · Hebrew (Hannah) Origin
Anna Meaning in the Bible
Anna
girl
Anna means "Grace; Favor", a girl's name of Hebrew (Hannah) origin. Anna appears in the King James Bible, and Luke 2:36-37 is the passage most often tied to it. Anna's patient decades of prayer were rewarded with the privilege of seeing the Messiah. Her life teaches that faithful waiting is never wasted — God honors persistent devotion with extraordinary revelation.
Is Anna in the Bible?
Yes — Anna (spelled Anah in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 2:36-37.
Pronunciation:/AN-uh/
OriginHebrew (Hannah)
MeaningGrace; Favor
What does Anna mean?
Anna is a girl name of Hebrew (Hannah) origin meaning "Grace; Favor". Anna is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor." In the Gospel of Luke, Anna was an elderly prophetess who had devoted herself to fasting and prayer in the temple for decades after being widowed at a young age.
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What does Anna mean in the Bible?
Anna means "Grace; Favor" and is a name of Hebrew (Hannah) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Anna is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor." In the Gospel of Luke, Anna was an elderly prophetess who had devoted herself to fasting and prayer in the temple for decades after being widowed at a young age.
Anna was eighty-four years old when Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to the temple. Along with Simeon, she recognized the child as the promised Messiah. "She gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38).
Anna's decades of faithful prayer and fasting prepared her for this singular moment of recognition. Her story shows that lifelong devotion positions us to see what God is doing when others miss it entirely.
Where does Anna appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Anna is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Luke 2:36-37. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Anna?
Anna has 7 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Common nicknames
Ann
Which books of the Bible mention Anna?
Anna is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Anna?
Anna's patient decades of prayer were rewarded with the privilege of seeing the Messiah. Her life teaches that faithful waiting is never wasted — God honors persistent devotion with extraordinary revelation.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Anna:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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What names are related to Anna?
Names that pair well with Anna
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Anna
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Anna name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Anna (spelled Anah in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 2:36-37.
Anna means "Grace; Favor." It is a Hebrew (Hannah) name. The King James Bible uses it in Luke 2:36-37, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew (Hannah). Anna comes into English from Hebrew (Hannah) and carries the sense "Grace; Favor." It appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 2:36-37.
Common questions about the name Anna
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Anna?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Anna?
You can read every verse where Anna appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.