"Anna's Day" on This Day in History

Watch Anna Karenina

This Day In History: Today is Anna's Day which celebrates all people named Anna in Sweden and Finland. Anna is the second most popular female name in movies behind Sarah. Anna was the 22nd most popular name in 1850, but from the 1870's through to the 1890's, Anna was consistently the second most popular name behind Mary. Perhaps this has something to do with the popular novel of the time "Anna Karenina." Anna and Mary also have a religious connection. European Christians embraced the name Anna for its associations with the Virgin Mary’s mother, Saint Anna — known in English as Saint Anne. Anna is derived from the Hebrew word Hannah meaning "Grace" (Hail Mary, full of grace). The names Anna and Mary feature prominently in Downton Abbey as well, and Anna is one of the most common composite names: Pollyanna, Annabelle, Marianne, Anna-Maria, Julianne, Leanne, Roseanne etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_days_in_Sweden

Listen to the Anna Karenina audiobook at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kjWJjtMwuQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5o2nH027rc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJJSuwiej4Q