Ennis

♂ Boy

Pronounced EN-iss /ˈɛn.ɪs/High

Meaning: From the Irish place Ennis (Inis), 'an island; a river-meadow/water-meadow'; also linked to a form of Angus, 'one choice'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: An island; a river-meadow: Ennis is an Irish place-name. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'EN-iss').

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Origin LowIrish, Gaelic

MeaningFrom the Irish place Ennis (Inis), 'an island; a river-meadow/water-meadow'; also linked to a form of Angus, 'one choice'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#9157 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,204

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

Ennis comes from the Irish place-name Ennis (Inis), 'an island; a river-meadow or water-meadow' (the county town of Clare) — and is also linked to a clipped form of Angus, 'one choice' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern Irish surname/place-name (the character Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain; nickname Enn).

In the U.S. it appears in Irish families. Rare, an-island-or-a-river-meadow at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Ennis means 'an island; a river-meadow' (Irish Inis) — a town in County Clare — and is also linked to a form of Angus, 'one choice' — a crisp, modern name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'EN-iss').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Ennis — routes layered

Variations

InisEnis

Nicknames

Enn

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ennis…

Angus— a name it is linked to

Finnian— a fellow Irish boys' name

Ronan— a companion Irish boys' name

Declan— another Irish boys' name

Explore names like Ennis

By themeuncertain place-name irish gaelic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ennis mean?

Ennis is an Irish place-name, 'an island; a river-meadow'; it is also linked to Angus. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Ennis?

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

Is Ennis a boy or girl name?

Ennis is a boy's name.

How popular is Ennis?

Ennis is a rare name in the U.S.