Agnes

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Agnes

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Agnes is the English form of a Greek name, Hagne. It originally meant “Chaste,” “Sacred,” or “Pure.” It is also associated with the Latin word “agnus” (lamb).

History:
Agnes was the name of a popular virgin martyr saint during the Middle Ages. It was consequentially grew in popularity throughout the age (most often in the forms Agneta, or Annis), to become the third most popular name in England, for a time (after Elizabeth and Joan) by the 16th century. It declined after the Reformation in favor of more Biblical names, but was revived in the 19th century (Agnes, not Annis) along with other Medieval favorites.

Pronunciation: AG-ness.

Diminutives: Aggie, Annot, Nessa, Nessie, Neska.
Czech: Nesa, Neska.
Swedish: Neta.
Welsh: Nest, Nesta.

Alternates: Anis, Anisa, Anissa, Aneisha, Anessa, Annice, Annis, Annissa, Annys Anyssa, Senga, Agnus.
Breton: Oanez.
Czech: Aigneis.
Danish: Anesa, Anezka.
French: Agnés.
German: Agna, Agnethe.
Hawaiian: Akeneki, Aineki.
Irish: Aghna.
Latin: Angnes.
Polish: Agnieszka.
Scandinavian: Agna, Agnethe.
Spanish: Agnese, Inéz, Iñes.
Swedish: Agneta.

See also: Aggie, Agneta, Inéz.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Agnes Smedley (1894-1950)
American journalist.
Agnes de Mille (1905-1993)
American choreographer.
Agnes Varda (1928-)
French photographer.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Agnes Nestor (1880-1948)
American labor leader.

Miscellaneous:
Iñes de Castro (1323-1355)
Mistress of Pedro I of Portugal, famous for a tragic death.
Agnes Sorel (1422-1450)
Mistress of King Charles VII of France.
Lady Agnes Surriage Frankland (1726-1783)
An American tavern worker who married and English lord.

Religious Figures:
Saint Agnes (4th century)
A popular virgin martyr. Patron saint of girls.

Royalty:
Agnes of Poitou (1024-1077)
Wife of Holy Roman Emperor Henry III. Regent for her son, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV.

Scientists:
Agnes Arber (1879-1960)
British botanist.

Singers and Entertainers:
Agnes Moorehead (1906-1974)
American actress.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.098 % named Agnes
0.053 % named Inéz
0.009 % named Iñes
0.005 % named Anissa
0.002 % named Neta
0.002 % named Annice
0.002 % named Annis
0.001 % named Anisa
0.001 % named Agnus

Popularity of Agnes:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1800: 80th most popular.
1850: 67th most popular.
1875: 51st most popular.
1900-1910: 37th most popular.
1910-1920: 46th most popular.
1920-1930: 68th most popular.
1930-1940: 134th most popular.
1940-1950: 229th most popular.
1950-1960: 372nd most popular.
1960-1970: 612th most popular.
1970-2000: N/A

In France...
1900: 86th most popular.
1910: 80th most popular.
1920: 89th most popular.
1930: 85th most popular.
1940: 102nd most popular.
1950: 75th most popular.
1960: 29th most popular.
1970: 30th most popular.
1980: 85th most popular.
1990: 199th most popular.
2000: N/A

Popularity of Iñes:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 632nd most popular.
1910-1920: 641st most popular.
1920-1930: 570th most popular.
1930-1940: 540th most popular.
1940-1950: 854th most popular.
1950-1960: 953rd most popular.
1960-2000: N/A

In France...
1900: N/A
1910: 188th most popular.
1913: 193rd most popular.
1920-1980: N/A
1988: 165th most popular.
1990: 106th most popular.
2000: 16th most popular.

Popularity of Anissa:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1960: N/A
1960-1970: 878th most popular.
1970-1980: 602nd most popular.
1980-1990: N/A
1991: N/A
1992: 895th most popular.
1993: 437th most popular.
1994: 472nd most popular.
1995: 601st most popular.
1996: 722nd most popular.
1997: 669th most popular.
1998: 639th most popular.
1999: 727th most popular.
2000: 762nd most popular.
2001: 780th most popular.
2002: 782nd most popular.
2003: 742nd most popular.

Popularity of Neta:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 750th most popular.
1910-1920: 964th most popular.
1920-2000: N/A