Anu or Ana (sometimes given as Anann or Anand) is the name of a goddess mentioned briefly in Irish mythology.
The 9th century Sanas Cormaic (Cormac's Glossary) says in its entry for her:
She may be a goddess in her own right, or an alternate name for Danu. In the Lebor Gabála ÃÂrenn, Anand is given as another name for The MorrÃÂgan. As her name is often conflated with a number of other goddesses, it is not always clear which figure is being referred to if the name is taken out of context. The name may be derived from the Proto-Celtic *æanon-.
Anu has particular associations with Munster: the pair of breast shaped hills known as the Paps of Anu (Dá ChÃÂch Anann or "the breasts of Anu") in County Kerry are said to have been named after her.
Her name has the meaning of "wealth, riches, and prosperity." Leaving her with a title of being the goddess of "good fortune and prosperity" in the land of Munster.
While an Irish goddess, in Scotland (Alba) a similar figure is referred to as âÂÂGentle AnnieâÂÂ, in an effort to avoid offence, a tactic which is similar to referring to the fairies as âÂÂThe Good PeopleâÂÂ.