Anastasia

Gender: Girl

Meaning: Resurrection

Origin: Greek

Popularity: Ranked #163 in 2025 with 1,832 babies born.

History: Anastasia derives from the Greek word 'anastasis,' meaning resurrection, a name with profound spiritual roots in early Christian tradition. Saint Anastasia, an early Christian martyr, helped establish the name's religious significance across Europe and the Mediterranean. However, the name's modern American identity is inseparable from Russian culture and the enduring legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the mysterious deaths of the imperial family, Anastasia became a name wrapped in historical intrigue and romantic possibility—reinforced by countless retellings in literature, film, and popular imagination. In the United States, Anastasia remained relatively uncommon until the late 20th century. The name first appeared in American birth records around 1880, but adoption was gradual and stayed modest for over a century. The real surge came in the 2000s and 2010s, as American parents increasingly embraced longer, classical names with international flair and European sophistication. The peak arrived in 2018, when 1,904 babies were named Anastasia, reaching the name's best ranking of #147. As of 2025, the name remains solidly popular at #163 with 1,832 births recorded that year. In total, over 57,130 babies have been named Anastasia in United States records, with girls accounting for 57,107 of those births. The name represents a distinctly modern American fascination with historical depth, cross-cultural appeal, and sophisticated European heritage.

Nicknames: Ana, Stasia, Annie, Anasta, Tasha, Sia

Personality vibes: Elegant, Mysterious, Resilient, Sophisticated, Introspective

Sibling name pairings: Eleanor, Sophia, Isabella, Victoria, Evangeline, Margaret, Catherine

Middle name ideas: Anastasia Grace, Anastasia Marie, Anastasia Claire, Anastasia Rose, Anastasia Elizabeth, Anastasia Joy, Anastasia Hope

Famous people named Anastasia:

• Anastasia Philippova — Russian tennis player and international sports competitor.
• Anastasia Myskina — Former Russian professional tennis player and Grand Slam champion.
• Anastasia Volochkova — Russian prima ballerina and Bolshoi Theatre performer.
• Anastasia Zampounidis — American-Greek television personality and author based in Germany.

Anastasia in America Today

Anastasia has solidified itself as a fixture in contemporary American baby naming, particularly among parents seeking names that blend classical elegance with historical gravitas. The name appeals across socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, though it maintains strongest associations with families of Slavic, Eastern European, or Greek heritage, as well as parents drawn to the name's literary and cinematic mystique. In 2025, ranking at #163 with 1,832 births, Anastasia represents a mature trend rather than a fleeting fad. It's favored by millennial and Gen Z parents who value names that sound sophisticated, travel well internationally, and carry meaningful historical narratives. The name has transcended its niche appeal to become genuinely mainstream, appearing regularly in schools, workplaces, and social media without feeling trendy or dated. For many American families, Anastasia signals cultural awareness and a preference for timeless names over invented or overly casual alternatives.

Naming Trends

Anastasia's American adoption arc tells a story of changing parental preferences and cultural openness. First recorded in U.S. birth records in 1880, the name remained extraordinarily rare for more than a century, averaging only a handful of births per year throughout the early and mid-20th century. The dramatic shift began around 2000, with consistent annual growth through the 2010s. By 2018, Anastasia reached its all-time peak of 1,904 births and its best ranking of #147, representing a remarkable 300-fold increase from its near-invisible starting point. Since that apex, the name has experienced a gentle decline, settling to 1,832 births in 2025 and ranking #163. This slight cooling reflects normal naming cycles where names gradually stabilize after explosive growth. Over the entire recorded history, 57,130 American babies have been named Anastasia, with 57,107 being girls, making it almost exclusively a feminine name in American usage despite its gender-neutral origins in other cultures.

Cultural Notes

Anastasia occupies a singular place in American popular culture, bridging high history, literary romance, and animated fantasy. The most visible touchstone remains the 1997 animated film Anastasia, which introduced millions of American children to a fictionalized, sympathetic version of Grand Duchess Anastasia that contradicted historical fact but created lasting emotional resonance. This film particularly influenced naming choices from the late 1990s onward, introducing the name to audiences far beyond those with Russian heritage. The name also appears in literature, from historical fiction to contemporary novels, often carrying associations with elegance, mystery, and resilience. In real-world contexts, Anastasia has become shorthand for sophistication and cultural depth, sometimes stereotyped as the name of a refined, intelligent character. The Russian royal connection remains culturally significant in American discourse, though it's balanced by the name's broader Greek spiritual meaning and its international use across multiple languages and alphabets. For modern American parents, naming a child Anastasia often signals an appreciation for history, international culture, and names that feel substantial.

Name length: 9 letters

How common is Anastasia? About 1 in 1,817 babies born in 2025 were named Anastasia, or roughly 5 per day in the United States.

Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.