In the Three Kingdoms, the word "Ani" is often found in the names of king's mothers, queens, or king's sisters. Originally "Ani" is related to women, either as a proper noun indicating a particular woman, or it can also have been used in reference to bhikkunis.

In the Japanese history book, Ilbonso-gi, it is written that the first Japanese bhikkuni, Sonshin, went to Paekje to learn the discipline, the Vinaya, and she is recorded as having been called "Sonshin-ani." Then in the Korean book Kyerim-yusa, it is recorded that bhikkunis during the Koryo Dynasty were called "Ani," showing that this was a usual way of calling bhikkunis.

"Ani" was a term used in the names of high ranking women in the Shilla Dynasty. Some records show that some of these women were appointed to the position of supervisor of national ceremonies or as managers of ancestral temples of the royal family. All these records support the present writer's opinion about the word "Ani" -- it was originally the title or name given to aristocratic women, and when Buddhism was introduced, the title was used for bhikkunis whose status prior to ordination was that of a queen or an aristocratic woman. (It is interesting to note that Ani is the title used to address women ordained in Tibetan Buddhism today.)