AGNES  

Gender: F
Origin: Greek
Meaning: "pure, virginal"

Though it was the third most common English girls' name for four hundred years, Agnes has long been stuck in the attic. But maybe it's so far out it's almost ready to come back in. French pronounciation -- ahn-YEZ -- helps, but few Americans would comply. Actress Elisabeth Shue chose it for her third child.

Variations:
Nessie, Agnus, Agnis, Oona, Annisha, Agnesse, Annis, Annais, Agye, Aneska, Annice, Ag, Anais, Nesa, Agie, Neysa, Anees, Aggye, Aggie, Anissa, Annise, Nessi, Nevesah, Anessa, Oonagh, Anneyce, Oonah, Agi, Annisah, Senga, Anesse, Anisha, Aggi, Nesi, Ina, Inah, Anice, Nevsa, Agy, Nessy, Agnessina, Aneesha

International Variations:
Oanez (Breton) Anka, Anezka, Agnesa, Agneska (Czech) Anneke (Dutch) Agna, Antje, Anke (German) Aignéis (Irish Gaelic) Agnesca, Anete, Agnella, Agnesina, Agnola, Hagne (Italian) Ines, Inez (Portuguese) Agnessa, Agnia, Nessa, Inessa (Russian) Agnethe, Agneta, Agnek, Agne (Scandinavian) Neza (Slavic) Agnese, Ynes, Inesa, Ynez (Spanish) Nesta (Welsh)

People who like Agnes also like:

Jasper

Agnes is being discussed in our message boards:

• Names in Your Child's Class/Daycare/Playgroup
• Modelicious
• Fashion Name List!
• honoring an old fashioned name
• A twin name that will go with Tennille

Read Nameberry blog posts about Agnes:

• OLD LADY NAMES: Ready for the Next Wave?
• EXOTIC LITE: Girls' Edition
• STAR POWER: The influence of starbabies
• VINTAGE NAMES: 100-Year-Old Names That Sound New Again