Ana

Ana is a form of the Hebrew name Hannah, derived from the root channah, meaning grace or favor. It spread widely through Latin and the Romance languages as a variant of Anna, the Hellenized form used in early Christian tradition, and became especially common in Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, and South Slavic cultures. The name gained enduring religious significance through Saint Anne, traditionally venerated as the mother of the Virgin Mary. Related forms include Anna, Anne, Hannah, Hanna, and Annette.