Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Anja
GirlSlavic, German· “form of Anna, grace”
- Meaning
- form of Anna, grace
- Origin
- Slavic, German
- Pronunciation
- AHN-yuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,075
- US babies 2025
- 35
- Best rank
- #1,684 (2002)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Anja
Anja is a Slavic and German name that means “form of Anna, grace”.
Anja is a form of Anna used in Slavic, German, Dutch and Scandinavian languages. Anna comes from the Hebrew Hannah, grace or favor. In Slavic languages Anja is often a diminutive, while in German and Scandinavian countries it is a full given name. It is said AHN-yuh, with the J pronounced like a Y. Related names include Anya, Anna and Annika. The name is short and sweet, with a clean, international style.
Popularity over time
Anja first appears in US Social Security records in 1962. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,684 in 2002, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 122 were named Anja. In 2025, 35 babies were named Anja, and it ranked #4,075 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,522 in 1980, #2,336 in 2000, #2,274 in 2010, and #4,075 in 2025. Of the 2,797 US girls named Anja since records began, 31% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 674 babies. Since 2010, 957 more have been named Anja.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Abriana, Meah, Ani, Saray, and Liyah.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Anja is usually pronounced AHN-yuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-ja”.
Middle names for Anja
A few middle names that flow with Anja: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Anja
Similar names
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Lists that include Anja
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Anja mean?
Anja is a Slavic and German name that means “form of Anna, grace”.
What is the origin of the name Anja?
Anja has Slavic, German, and Hebrew roots. Anja is a form of Anna used in Slavic, German, Dutch and Scandinavian languages.
Is Anja a popular name?
Not especially. Anja ranked #4,075 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Anja a boy or girl name?
Anja is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Anja?
Anja is usually pronounced AHN-yuh. 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