The surname Anica is primarily of Slavic origin and is most commonly found among Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin, and Bosnian families. It is a patronymic surname derived from the female given name Ana or Anna, which means 'grace' or 'favor' in Hebrew. The term "ica" is a diminutive suffix often added to Slavic names to denote affection or endearment, resulting in the surname Anica.
In some cases, it may also be derived from other Slavic given names ending in "-ana," such as Ivanana (feminine form of Ivan), and the "ica" suffix is used to create a new surname. The specific origin of the surname Anica for an individual may depend on their family history and ancestry.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Anica
The meaning and origin of the last name Anica
The surname Anica is primarily of Slavic origin, specifically associated with Eastern Europe, particularly Croatia and Serbia. It's derived from the female given name Ana (Hanna), which has its roots in Hebrew and means "grace" or "favor." In some cases, it may also be a variation or diminutive form of other names containing "Ana," such as Anica being a shortened version of Antonia. The name's popularity can be attributed to the reverence held for Saint Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition, from which many Slavic names originated. Over time, this surname has been adopted by individuals across various countries with Eastern European heritage.
Geographical distribution of the last name Anica
The last name Anica is primarily distributed across Southeastern Europe, specifically in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It originates from the Croatian language and is a patronymic surname derived from the feminine given name Ana or Anna, meaning "grace" or "favor." In Croatia, it's most commonly found in regions such as Dalmatia, Lika-Senj, and Slavonia. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is primarily concentrated in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration, with significant Anica populations found in countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United States.
Variants and spellings of the last name Anica
The surname Anica can have various spellings and pronunciations due to regional differences and transliteration from other languages. Here are some possible variations:
It's important to note that the spelling can change based on the gender and language context. The original or most common form of the name might be Anića, but it can also appear as Anița, Anička, Aničko, etc., depending on the region and linguistic tradition.
Famous people with the last name Anica
Notable individuals with the surname Anica include:
1. Petar Anića (born 1966), a Serbian football player who played as a striker for clubs like Partizan Belgrade and Red Star Belgrade. He also represented the Yugoslavia national team.
2. Aleksandar Anića (born 1984), a Serbian professional basketball player who competed in the European league and the Basketball Champions League.
3. Ljubomir Anića (born 1957), a Serbian politician who served as Minister of Defense from 2012 to 2014, and as the Interior Minister from 2008 to 2012.
These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of sports and politics within Serbia.
Genealogical research on the last name Anica
The surname Anica, of Slavic origin, is predominantly found in Croatia and other Balkan regions. It derives from the given name Ana or Anna, which means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. The surname's earliest recorded occurrence dates back to the 14th century in the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia. Throughout history, the Anica family has played various roles in regional politics, military, and culture. Notable figures with this surname include Ivan Aničić (1814-1887), a renowned Croatian linguist, writer, and politician, and Marija Aničić Jambrišak (1836-1925), a prominent Croatian educator. Genealogical research suggests that the name Anica may have various spelling variations due to phonetic differences, such as Anečić or Aničić.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
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