Anu
Primarily a girl's name with 282 recorded births. Also given to 75 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A sky-god, the god of heaven, lord of constellations, king of gods, spirits and demons, who dwelt in the highest heavenly region.
Anu is a boy's and girl's baby name of Sumerian origin, the name of the ancient sky god of Mesopotamia — the lord of the heavens, king of all gods and spirits, meaning 'the sky, the one above.' In Sumerian and Akkadian mythology, Anu was the supreme deity of the heavens, father of the gods, and the source of all royal authority.
Anu is also a Finnish name meaning 'grace' — used in Finland as a feminine name from the Hebrew Hannah. In India, Anu can be a diminutive of Sanskrit names beginning with the Anu- prefix. The name's extraordinary reach across civilizations — Sumeria, Finland, India — reflects its universal simplicity and power.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Anu's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Anu follows that feminine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Anu's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Anu was #7433 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #11161, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 44 | #11075 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 67 | #13089 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 75 | #12178 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 50 | #10891 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 25 | #9775 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 21 | #7151 | — |
The Story of Anu
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2004, Anu is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Anu are most likely born between 1994 and 2014.
How rare is Anu?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Anu — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 75 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Anu by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #11161 |
| 2023 | 7 | #12281 |
| 2022 | 7 | #12356 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12329 |
| 2020 | 15 | #7249 |
| 2019 | 7 | #12576 |
| 2018 | 7 | #12603 |
| 2017 | 6 | #14311 |
| 2015 | 6 | #14693 |
| 2014 | 5 | #16791 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11113 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15149 |
| 2011 | 12 | #9218 |
| 2010 | 9 | #11351 |
| 2009 | 8 | #12546 |
| 2008 | 8 | #12694 |
| 2007 | 8 | #12791 |
| 2006 | 8 | #12534 |
| 2005 | 8 | #11952 |
| 2004 | 15 | #7433 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Anu as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Anu has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 75 births since 2005.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Anu most popular?
How popular is the name Anu?
Can Anu be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024