Browse Names - Behind the Name

Ann f English, Manx
English and Manx form of Anne 1. In the English-speaking world, both this spelling and Anne have been used since the late Middle Ages. Currently Ann is less popular than Anne (and both are less popular than their relatives Anna and Hannah).

Aoibheann f Irish
From Old Irish Oébfinn or Aíbinn, derived from oíb meaning "beauty, appearance, form" and finn meaning "white, blessed". This was the name of the mother of Saint Énna of Aran. It was also borne by the daughter of the 10th-century Irish high king Donnchad Donn.

Boann f Irish Mythology
Possibly from Old Irish bó "cow" and finn "white, blessed". In Irish mythology this was the name of the goddess of the River Boyne, which is named for her. She was the wife of Nechtan and the father of Aonghus (by Dagda).

Breann f English (Modern)
Feminine form of Brian.

Caoileann f Irish (Rare)
Variant of Caoilfhionn.

Carolann f English
Combination of Carol 1 and Ann.

Daireann f Irish Mythology
Variant of Doireann.

Deeann f English
Variant of Deanna.

Diann f English
Variant of Diane.

Doireann f Irish, Irish Mythology
Possibly from the Old Irish prefix der "daughter" and finn "white, blessed". Alternatively it may be derived from Irish doireann "sullen, tempestuous". This was the name of several characters in Irish legend, including a daughter of Bodb Derg who poisoned Fionn mac Cumhaill after he spurned her advances.

Éireann f Irish (Rare)
From Éireann, the genitive case of Irish Gaelic Éire, meaning "Ireland". It is commonly Anglicized as Erin.

Flann m & f Irish, Old Irish
Means "blood red" in Irish. This was the name of a 9th-century high king of Ireland.

Joann f English
Variant of Joan 1.

Leann f English
Combination of Lee and Ann.

Leeann f English
Combination of Lee and Ann.

Luann f English
Either a combination of Lou and Ann or a variant of Luana. It was popularized in the 1950s by the singer Lu Ann Simms (1933-2003).

Mariann f Hungarian, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish
Hungarian and Scandinavian variant of Marianne.

Mary Ann f English
Combination of Mary and Ann.

Maryann f English
Combination of Mary and Ann.

Muireann f Irish, Irish Mythology
Variant of Muirenn.

Roseann f English
Variant of Rosanne.

Ryann f English (Modern)
Feminine variant of Ryan.

Sinann f Irish Mythology
Older form of Sionann.

Sionann f Irish Mythology
In Irish legend this was the name of a granddaughter of the sea god Lir who went to Connla's Well, which was forbidden. The well burst and drowned her, leaving her body in the river thereafter known as the Sionainn (see Shannon).

Sovann m & f Khmer
Means "gold" in Khmer, ultimately from Sanskrit सुवर्ण (suvarna).

Susann f German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
German and Scandinavian short form of Susanne.

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