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Home › Baby Names Directory › Anis

Anis

♂ Boy

Pronounced ah-NEES /ɑˈnis/Medium

Meaning: From Arabic anis, 'a close companion; a friendly, sociable one; intimate'; used for both sexes; here for boysLow

In 30 seconds: A close companion; a friendly one: Anis is Arabic for 'a close companion'. Crisp, warm, and lyrical. Used for both sexes (here for boys; said 'ah-NEES').
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Origin MediumArabic
MeaningFrom Arabic anis, 'a close companion; a friendly, sociable one; intimate'; used for both sexes; here for boys
U.S. rank (2025)#8962 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 356

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200819822025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Anis comes from Arabic anis, 'a close companion; a friendly, sociable one; intimate, congenial'. A crisp, warm name across the Arab and South Asian Muslim worlds, used for both sexes, here for boys (slug distinguished; nickname Ani).

In the U.S. it appears in Muslim families. Rare, a-close-companion at the root, and warm.

Did you know? Anis means 'a close companion; a friendly, sociable one; intimate' in Arabic — a crisp, warm name, used for both sexes (here for boys; said 'ah-NEES').
Overall data confidence 58%
References — Anis — Arabic etymology

Variations

AneesAniss

Nicknames

Ani

Famous Bearers

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If you like Anis…

Nabil— a sound-neighbor Arabic boys' name
Habib— a fellow 'companion/beloved' Arabic boys' name
Faris— shares Anis's Arabic roots
Younis— shares the -is ending
Yunis— shares Anis's Arabic roots

Explore names like Anis

By themeuncertainarabicunisexmuslim

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Anis mean?

Anis is Arabic for 'a close companion; a friendly, sociable one'.

How do you pronounce Anis?

It's said ah-NEES /ɑˈnis/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Anis a boy or girl name?

Anis is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Anis?

Anis is a rare name in the U.S.

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