Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Annika
GirlSwedish, Hebrew· “grace”
- Meaning
- grace
- Origin
- Swedish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- AH-nih-kuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #995
- US babies 2025
- 254
- Best rank
- #285 (2003)
- Peak year
- 2003
Meaning and origin of Annika
Annika is a Swedish and Hebrew name that means “grace”.
Annika is a Swedish and Dutch pet form of Anna, which comes from the Hebrew Hannah, "grace" or "favor". It is especially popular in Sweden, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. Many readers know it from Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking books, in which Annika is one of Pippi's neighbors and best friends. The name has spread to the English-speaking world in recent decades, where it is appreciated for its bright, international sound. It is pronounced AH-nih-kuh in Scandinavian languages, and English speakers also say AN-ih-kuh. Anni and Nika are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Annika first appears in US Social Security records in 1961. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 31 different years, starting in 1995. Its best national rank was #285 in 2003, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,089 babies. In 2025, 254 babies were named Annika, and it ranked #995 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,806 in 1980, #446 in 2000, #466 in 2010, and #995 in 2025. Of the 19,594 US girls named Annika since records began, 45% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 5,048 babies. Since 2010, 6,832 more have been named Annika.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Perla, Emilee, Halle, Carolina, and Hailee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Annika ranked highest in Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #306 | 18 |
| Oregon | #435 | 8 |
| Colorado | #502 | 11 |
| Utah | #614 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #649 | 15 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Annika is usually pronounced AH-nih-kuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-ka”.
Middle names for Annika
A few middle names that flow with Annika: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Annika
Similar names
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Lists that include Annika
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Annika mean?
Annika is a Swedish and Hebrew name that means “grace”.
What is the origin of the name Annika?
Annika has Swedish and Hebrew roots. Annika is a Swedish and Dutch pet form of Anna, which comes from the Hebrew Hannah, "grace" or "favor".
Is Annika a popular name?
Yes. Annika ranked #995 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Annika a boy or girl name?
Annika is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Annika?
Annika is usually pronounced AH-nih-kuh. 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