According to
Chantal Tanet and
Tristan Hordé, in French, the use of
Anne as masculine name appeared with
Anne de Montmorency (1493-1567),
Marshal and Constable of
France, named in honour of his godmother
Anne of
Brittany (1477-1514).
But the use of
Anne as masculine name is not unheard in other languages, strongly associated with the Catholic culture, mainly because of devotion to Saint
Anne, mother of Virgin
Mary. In Spanish, apart from María,
Ana is the only feminine name used regularly as a part of compound masculine names, always in the second spot; however, it is not very common.
Lumia
http://onomastica.elmeubloc.cathttp://onomastica.mailcatala.com