'Ann' originates from Hebrew, specifically the name 'Hannah', where the root 'ḥanan' meant 'to be gracious' or 'grace/favor'.

'Ann' changed from the Latin and Greek forms 'Anna' (from Greek 'Ἄννα') and Old French 'Anne', and eventually became the modern English given name 'Ann'.

Initially it meant 'grace' or 'favor' as a meaning of the Hebrew name, and over time it evolved into use primarily as a female personal name retaining that sense of 'grace' in origin.