The Origin and Meaning of the Name Anya

The name Anya is of Russian origin, although its meaning in Hebrew would be "bearer of kindness" or "she who is compassionate". Learn more!
The Origin and Meaning of the Name Anya

Last update: 27 September, 2022

If you’re expecting a girl and want a short name that’s full of beauty, we recommend looking into the origin and meaning of Anya. Here, you’ll find, perhaps, the option you’ve been searching for so long and finally discover what you’re going to call the newest little girl in your house.

On the other hand, if you already know someone with this name, don’t miss all the data about where her name comes from.

What’s the origin and meaning of the name Anya?

Anya is one of the variants of the name Ana. In this regard, it comes from the Hebrew name Hannah, which symbolizes the girl who is the “bearer of goodness”, “she who is compassionate” and who has “grace granted by God”.

Its origin hides a very traditional meaning, as it alludes to the biblical character of Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Although, it could also be due to the mother of Samuel in the Old Testament. Therefore, it’s a representative name for strong, brave women who are full of light.

However, one of the most striking things about this option is that its variant comes from Russian. In this regard, it would be the diminutive of the graphic variant of Annya. For this reason, if you have roots in that territory and you’re expecting a daughter, there’s no better option!

A girl running while holding onto a Russian flag.
Anya would be a diminutive of Annya, a name of Russian origin. Another version indicates that it comes from the Hebrew name Hanna.

Anya as a saint

As you can imagine, the onomastics of Anya is the same as that of Ana, due to its same origin. For this reason, make a note of the date July 26 to congratulate this special person on her day. This celebration is dedicated to St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary.

However, also throughout history, there have been several people named after her who have been sanctified or beatified. For this reason, there are also some key dates worth keeping in mind. Especially if your little one was born on one of these days and you want one of them to be her guardian angel:

  • June 7: Blessed Ana de San Bartolomé
  • October 14: Blessed Ana María Aranda Riera
  • July 15: Blessed Ana María Javouhey
  • May 6: Blessed Ana Rosa Garrotno
  • October 5: Blessed Ana Schäffer

Characters and celebrities with this name

Anya Taylor-Joy in the Queen's Gambit.
Anya Taylor-Joy is one of the most popular actresses nowadays. She’s the protagonist of the well-known series The Queen’s Gambit.

Some cartoon or fictional characters have been named after the sweetness given off by this precious option. This is the case, for example, of Anya Forger, an anime character given portrayed by a girl with short pink hair.

In this regard, it’s not strange that the beauty of this name has served as inspiration for the parents of the following celebrities recognized worldwide today:

  • Anya Taylor-Joy: British actress and model of worldwide renown for being the protagonist of one of the most popular current series, Lady Gambit.
  • Anya Wilde: Writer of novels full of humor, adventure, and sweeping romance.
  • Anya Seton: Is a celebrated author of historical romances. She’s recognized for her literary quality and historical accuracy.

The origin and meaning of Anya beautify a name that transcends time

We hope you’ve discovered all the secrets of this fantastic Russian diminutive chosen by parents from different parts of the world for their little girl. If so, and you’ve fallen in love with every detail described in the following space, we hope you’ll choose it for your baby.

No doubt, when your little one grows up and asks you about the origin of her name, you’ll be able to smile as you explain it to her and show her how special she is for always carrying it with her.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.