Annika and Anneka

updated Sept 2015

Annika ~ Gracious, Merciful ~ Scandinavian roots

I wasn't sure what girl's name I was going to feature for the week, when the name Annika came to mind. It's a lovely name used around the world, particularly in Sweden, Germany, England, and other European countries, as well as Australia and Canada. This name comes from the name Anneka, which is a Dutch form of Ann.

Its background across Europe use means Annika is a diverse crowd-pleaser with lots of potential. It has a trendy and global feel and I love the sound of the word, with its familiar prefix (ann) and bright consonant sounds (nika). It has a lot of variations to choose from and room for creativity.

Pronunciation
The most common way to say this name is ANN-i-ka, keeping the "Ann" in the first syllable. A less popular pronunciation is AHN-i-ka, which rhymes with Monica.

Variations

• Ann
• Anneka
• Annica
• Nika

Popularity
Annika is on a downward trend and ranked at 576 for 2014, while the original Dutch Anneka is not ranked.

Famous Namesakes
Annika Sörenstam, pro golfer

Characters named Annika

• Annika Hansen (Seven of Nine) in Star Trek: Voyager
• Annika Settergren, a character in Pippi Longstocking
• Princess Annika, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus