Annis

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Annis

Pronounced AN-iss /ˈæn.ɪs/Medium

Meaning: Annis is a medieval English pronunciation-spelling of Agnes, which comes from the Greek hagnos, 'pure' or 'holy.' It carried Agnes's meaning through centuries of English use before surviving into the American records as a vintage first name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Annis is an old English form of Agnes — Greek for 'pure, holy' (said 'AN-iss'). It peaked around 1920 and is a genuine antique.

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Origin MediumGreek, English

MeaningAnnis is a medieval English pronunciation-spelling of Agnes, which comes from the Greek hagnos, 'pure' or 'holy.' It carried Agnes's meaning through centuries of English use before surviving into the American records as a vintage first name.

U.S. rank (2008)#15594 ↘ Falling

2008 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,914

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Annis is one of the oldest names on this list, a medieval English rendering of Agnes — from the Greek hagnos, 'pure, holy,' a hugely popular name in the Middle Ages. English speakers softened Agnes to Annis in daily use, and that form was still being given to American girls at the turn of the last century.

Annis was most common in the eighteen-eighties through the nineteen-twenties and lingered rarely into the two-thousands. A girl named Annis at the peak would be past a hundred today. It remains a scholarly, antique choice and has not been part of the recent Agnes revival.

Did you know? Annis has medieval roots: it was the everyday English spoken form of Agnes for so long that it became a name in its own right, long before it appeared on American birth records.

Overall data confidence 66%

References — Annis — medieval English form of Agnes; Greek 'pure, holy'

Variations

AgnesAnniceAnnys

Nicknames

AnnNessie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Annis…

Agnes— the parent name Annis descends from, same 'pure' meaning

Annika— a like short, vintage name of northern-European feel

Janice— shares the -nis sound and old-fashioned tone

Alice— another medieval-rooted vintage girls' name

Explore names like Annis

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Annis mean?

Annis is a medieval form of Agnes, from the Greek hagnos meaning 'pure, holy'; it carries that meaning.

How do you pronounce Annis?

It's said AN-iss /ˈæn.ɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Annis a boy or girl name?

Annis is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Annis?

Annis was an uncommon vintage name that crested in the early twentieth century and is rare today.