The titular character in Anora cast as the titular character. She delivers a terrifically nuanced performance as a stripper whose life is drastically altered by the whims of a wealthy Russian boy who asks her to marry him.

A critical detail throughout Anora is that, despite her name being the title of the film, she doesn't use it. Instead, the main character goes by the nickname Ani and consistently corrects other characters when they refer to her by her legal name. In Anora's heartbreaking ending, there's a scene between Ani and Igor where he discusses the meaning of her name, begging the question of its relevance to the plot, the movie's themes, and her character's arc throughout the film.

Anora Means "Honor," "Grace," Or "Light"

Anora's Name Has Multiple Positive Meanings

At one point, Igor suggests that he likes the name Anora better than Ani, to which she rebuts by calling his name stupid. He explains that Igor means "warrior," stating that it's actually a good and noble name. In response, he inquires about what "Anora" means and begins to google it. It can be difficult to understand what he says due to the character's broken English and her interrupting him, telling him to stop.

As he reads, the name Anora comes from Latin origins and typically means "honor." He also states the English and Hebrew meanings, which include "light" and "grace." Notably, these are all positive words that don't really resemble how Ani views herself. As shown by the final scene of the movie, where she breaks down in tears, she's burdened by serious trauma, and the events of the film push her to reflect on her life and general standing in the world.

The Real Reason Why Anora Goes By Ani

Ani Is An Americanized Nickname

The main reason why Ani doesn't use her full name is because she doesn't think she deserves to. A major aspect of the film is that Ani isn't particularly proud of where she comes from, demonstrated by how she denies her ability to speak Russian and states that she doesn't typically use the language. Ani comes from a subculture of New York where her perception is that girls like herself don't make it very far, and she's keen on the idea of marrying Vanya to distinguish herself.

Using the more Americanized nickname Ani allows her some escape from what she believes is her prison.

Ani's biggest goal is to make enough to escape Brighton Beach, which is why she grasps every possibility of keeping her marriage with Vanya alive. Using the more Americanized nickname Ani allows her some escape from what she believes is her prison. Notably, the film Anora suggests that, while she may struggle, there's already beauty in her life and the Brighton Beach neighborhood she feels so stuck in.