Annika means grace — the Swedish/German diminutive of Anna/Anne, carrying Hebrew grace through Scandinavian warmth. Annika Sörenstam is the greatest female golfer in history — 72 LPGA victories. Pippi Longstocking's friend Annika is every child's first encounter with the name. Three syllables of Swedish grace, Sörenstam-level dominance, and Pippi's most loyal friend.
Annika is the Swedish/German diminutive of Anna meaning grace. Annika Sörenstam is the greatest female golfer in history with 72 LPGA victories. Pippi Longstocking's friend Annika is beloved worldwide.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Swedish/German diminutive; Annika Sörenstam (born 1970).
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Today
Annika remains a beloved choice, ranking #788 in the US. 19,337 babies have been named Annika since 1961.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Annika?
2003peak year
Today, Annika is rarely chosen — ranked around #788, with only about 367 babies given the name per year. But it wasn't always this way. At its peak in 2003, 1,089 babies were given the name (ranked #285 nationally). Its strongest stretch was the 2000s. Annika has been declining in recent years. In all, around 19,337 babies have been registered as Annika since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Annika's Life Path 1 is the leader's number — 72-victory leadership. People named Annika tend to be graceful, dominant, and gifted at being the greatest in any field while staying loyal.
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