NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Annis

A feminine name of obscure origin, possibly French or Arabic.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Annis is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Annis popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 10 births.

This profile covers 80 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1997 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 40% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 80 living people in the UK are called Annis. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Annis ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 10 girls were registered as Annis.
  • About 80 living people in the UK are estimated to have Annis as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4709

2023

Births in 2023

4

Latest year

Peak year

1997

10 births

Estimated living

80

2026

Meaning

What does Annis mean?

The name Annis is derived from the Germanic root "ans," which means "grace" or "favor." It has its origins in medieval Europe, particularly in regions like England, Germany, and the Netherlands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Annis can be traced back to the 12th century in England. It was a variant of the name Anne, which was popular during that time and often associated with religious figures like St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary.

In the 13th century, the name Annis appeared in various historical records and documents, such as the Domesday Book, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Annis was particularly prevalent among noble families and the aristocracy. One notable figure who bore this name was Annis Dauphine, a French noblewoman who lived in the 15th century and was known for her patronage of the arts and literature.

In the 16th century, the name Annis gained popularity in England, and several individuals of note bore this name during that time. One such person was Annis Austen, who lived from 1557 to 1634 and was the great-grandmother of the famous English novelist Jane Austen.

Another notable individual with the name Annis was Annis Guthrie, a Scottish poet and writer who lived from 1649 to 1688. Her works, which often explored themes of love and nature, were widely published and celebrated during her lifetime.

In the 17th century, the name Annis was also used in various literary works and plays. One example is the character of Annis in John Webster's tragic play "The Duchess of Malfi," which was first performed in 1614.

Moving into the 18th century, Annis Boudinot Stockton, who lived from 1736 to 1801, was a prominent American poet and writer. She is known for her poems that celebrated the American Revolution and the ideals of liberty and independence.

In the 19th century, Annis Merrill, born in 1823, was an American educator and pioneer in the field of early childhood education. She founded several successful schools and contributed significantly to the development of teaching methods for young children.

While the name Annis has waned in popularity in recent times, it has a rich history dating back to medieval Europe and has been borne by notable figures across various fields, including literature, poetry, and education.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Annis over time

The chart below shows babies named Annis registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Annis, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Annis
035810199720102023

Decades

Annis by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Annis was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4709 4 1
2010s #5035 23 6
2000s #3435 39 8
1990s #2446 14 2

Related

Names similar to Annis

FAQ

Annis: questions and answers

How popular is the name Annis in the UK right now?

In 2023, Annis was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Annis most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 10 babies registered as Annis in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Annis?

A feminine name of obscure origin, possibly French or Arabic.

How many people are called Annis in the UK?

A total of 80 babies have been registered as Annis across the 17 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.