Anand
BoySanskrit, Hindi· “joy, bliss”
- Meaning
- joy, bliss
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- uh-NAHND
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,872
- US babies 2025
- 15
- Best rank
- #1,228 (1980)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of Anand
Anand is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “joy, bliss”.
Anand is a Sanskrit name meaning joy or bliss, from ananda. In Hindu philosophy ananda is one of the qualities of the ultimate reality, often paired with sat, being, and chit, consciousness. It is used in India and among families of Indian heritage. It is said uh-NAHND. The chess champion Viswanathan Anand is a well-known bearer. Ananda is a related form, and Anandi is feminine. Its two syllables are easy for English speakers, though the final nd is often softened.
Popularity over time
Anand first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,228 in 1980, the same year it reached its highest count of 56 babies. In 2025, 15 babies were named Anand, and it ranked #5,872 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,228 in 1980, #2,380 in 2000, #4,688 in 2010, and #5,872 in 2025. Of the 1,902 US boys named Anand since records began, 23% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 403 babies. Since 2010, 420 more have been named Anand.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jeanpaul, Cavin, Jermel, Lemar, and Jamall.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Anand over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Anand is usually pronounced uh-NAHND, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-nd”.
Middle names for Anand
A few middle names that flow with Anand: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Anand
Similar names
Lists that include Anand
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Anand mean?
Anand is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “joy, bliss”.
What is the origin of the name Anand?
Anand has Sanskrit and Hindi roots. Anand is a Sanskrit name meaning joy or bliss, from ananda.
Is Anand a popular name?
Not especially. Anand ranked #5,872 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Anand a boy or girl name?
Anand is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Anand over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Anand?
Anand is usually pronounced uh-NAHND. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings