'Anna' originates from Hebrew, specifically the name 'Hannah' (Hebrew: 'חַנָּה'), where the root meant 'grace' or 'favor'.

'Anna' changed from the Hebrew name 'Hannah' through Greek and Latin forms (e.g. 'Ἄννα', Latin 'Anna') and entered English usage via biblical and medieval sources as the modern name 'Anna'.

Initially it meant 'grace' or 'favor' in Hebrew, and over time it has remained primarily a proper name preserving that original sense as an underlying meaning.