Anju
A girl's name of Japanese origin with 186 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A city in South Pyongan Province, North Korea.
Anju is a girl's baby name of Japanese origin, composed of the elements an meaning 'peaceful' or 'dark,' and ju meaning 'longevity' or 'ten.' The name appears in Japanese literature, most notably in Ogai Mori's story of Princess Anju, who sacrifices herself to save her brother.
Anju carries both the quiet serenity of its peaceful meaning and the literary weight of Japanese storytelling tradition. It is a name of understated beauty — compact and graceful, with the gentle depth that Japanese two-element names carry so naturally.
EtymologyShow more
Anju appeared in SSA records in 1970, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Japanese roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 186 recorded births, Anju has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Anju has 28+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1970.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 29 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 48 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 46 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 39 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 24 | — |
The Story of Anju
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1995, Anju is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Anju are most likely born between 1985 and 2005.
How rare is Anju?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Anju is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1970, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 48 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Anju by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(28 years, 1970–2016)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | #16478 |
| 2014 | 5 | #16766 |
| 2013 | 6 | #14769 |
| 2012 | 5 | #17131 |
| 2011 | 8 | #12278 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15437 |
| 2008 | 5 | #17775 |
| 2007 | 6 | #15670 |
| 2003 | 5 | #15997 |
| 2002 | 10 | #9551 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9422 |
| 2000 | 6 | #13291 |
| 1999 | 5 | #14566 |
| 1998 | 11 | #8050 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7553 |
| 1994 | 8 | #9640 |
| 1993 | 6 | #11878 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13095 |
| 1989 | 7 | #9742 |
| 1988 | 5 | #11909 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When was Anju most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1970–2016