"pure, holy, chaste"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Agnes
Pronunciation: [ AGN-ihs ]
Does Agnes flow with your last name?
Medieval saint's name with timeless purity and growing chic
English
French
Scandinavian
Polish
Spanish
Scottish
Classic
Vintage
Literary
Traditional
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Meaning & Origin
"sacred, inviolate"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Agnes from the 'Despicable Me' animated films — widely seen as adorable and endearing
The Story of Agnes
Agnes comes from the ancient Greek name Hagne (Ἁγνή), derived from 'hagnos' meaning pure, holy, or chaste. The name became widespread in the Christian world after Saint Agnes of Rome — a 13-year-old martyr executed around 304 AD for refusing to marry the son of a Roman prefect, choosing death over denying her Christian faith. Her feast day on January 21st inspired the medieval tradition of girls performing rituals on 'St. Agnes Eve' to glimpse their future husbands, a custom immortalized in John Keats's sublime 1819 poem 'The Eve of St. Agnes.'
Agnes was enormously popular throughout medieval Europe and remained a top name into the early 20th century before falling out of fashion mid-century. It is now experiencing a strong revival driven by the vintage name trend, particularly in Scandinavia and the UK, and increasingly in the US where 'grandma chic' names like Hazel, Mabel, and Edith are surging.
Saint Agnes is one of the most venerated saints in Roman Catholicism, depicted in art carrying a lamb (a visual pun on 'agnus,' the Latin for lamb). Her name has been borne by queens, saints, and literary figures across Europe. In Sweden, Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA brought the name to global pop culture consciousness in the 1970s and 80s.
Historical Record
Agnes first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 13,961 babies have been named Agnes in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Agnes is past its peak , currently ranked #1,064 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Agnes's symbol is a lamb because 'agnus' (lamb) sounds like 'Agnes' in Latin — one of the most famous visual puns in Christian art
- John Keats wrote 'The Eve of St. Agnes' in January 1819, cementing the name in Romantic literary canon
- Agnes was a top-10 name in medieval England alongside Alice and Joan, and again became fashionable in Victorian times
Agnes in Other Languages
French
Agnès
German
Agnes
Polish
Agnieszka
Italian
Agnese
Spanish
Inés
Swedish
Agnetha
Popularity Over Time
#1,064
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Agnes
A
Agnetha Fältskog
Musician
1950
Swedish pop star and co-founder of ABBA, one of the best-selling music acts in history
A
Agnes Varda
Artist
1928
Belgian-French filmmaker and pioneer of the French New Wave; her documentary 'Faces Places' received an Academy Award no...
Belgian-French filmmaker and pioneer of the French New Wave; her documentary 'Faces Places' received an Academy Award nomination at age 89
S
Saint Agnes of Rome
Religious
291
Christian martyr and patron saint of girls, executed at approximately 13 years old; one of the seven women commemorated ...
Christian martyr and patron saint of girls, executed at approximately 13 years old; one of the seven women commemorated by name in the Roman Canon of the Mass
A
Agnes (Despicable Me) Fictional
Other
Beloved fictional child character in the 'Despicable Me' animated franchise, famous for her love of unicorns and being o...
Beloved fictional child character in the 'Despicable Me' animated franchise, famous for her love of unicorns and being one of cinema's most endearing children
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Compare Agnes with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,064
- Total SSA Count
- 233
- Cultural Origins
- English French Scandinavian Polish Spanish Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Aggie
Nessie
Nez
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Agnes
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Agnes is also used as a boy name, ranked #19837.
View Agnes as a boy name →Similar Names
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"grace, favor"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Agnes
What does the name Agnes mean?
"pure, holy, chaste" (from Greek). "sacred, inviolate" (from Greek). Agnes comes from the ancient Greek name Hagne (Ἁγνή), derived from 'hagnos' meaning pure, holy, or chaste. The name became widespread in the Christian world after Saint Agnes of Rome — a 13-year-old martyr executed around 304 AD for refusing to marry the son of a Roman prefect, choosing death over denying her Christian faith. Her feast day on January 21st inspired the medieval tradition of girls performing rituals on 'St. Agnes Eve' to glimpse their future husbands, a custom immortalized in John Keats's sublime 1819 poem 'The Eve of St. Agnes.'
What is the origin of the name Agnes?
Agnes has Greek, English, French, Scandinavian, Polish, Spanish, and Scottish origins. In Greek, it means "pure, holy, chaste". In Greek, it means "sacred, inviolate".
Is Agnes a boy or girl name?
Agnes is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1064. As a boy name, it is ranked #19837. Agnes is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Agnes?
Agnes is pronounced AGN-ihs.
How popular is the name Agnes?
Agnes is currently ranked #1064 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Agnes?
Common nicknames for Agnes include Aggie, Nessie, and Nez.
What are good middle names for Agnes?
Popular middle name pairings include Agnes Rose, Agnes Claire, Agnes Mary, Agnes Jane, Agnes Louise, and Agnes Beatrice.
What are good sibling names for Agnes?
Names that pair well with Agnes as siblings include Ruth, Vera, Mabel, Edmund, Arthur, and Cecily.
How many syllables does Agnes have?
Agnes has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Agnes a common or rare name?
Agnes is an uncommon name, ranked #1064 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Agnes
Agnes is a girl name with English, French, Scandinavian, Polish, Spanish, and Scottish origins . The name means "pure, holy, chaste" in Greek .
Is Agnes a boy or girl name? Agnes is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,064 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,837. Agnes is more commonly used as a girl name.
Agnes is currently ranked #1,064 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Agnes has 2 syllables and is pronounced AGN-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Agnes include Aggie, Nessie, and Nez. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis