Annalise

Variously spelled Annalise and Annaliese as well as several other forms, this is not a modern smoosh but a traditional German combo-name with a definite Heidi-esque feel.

Anna of course is familiar and Liese or Lise is a short form of Elizabeth, ala Lisa, But though it may be seen as old style in Germany, it's a recent success in this country: Annalise jumped onto the popularity list for the first time in 1997.

Americans prefer the simpler spelling: There are about ten baby girls named Annalise in the US for every Annaliese. Another 100 baby girls were named Analise and Analiese is also found.

TV fans know Annalise as the first name of the lead character in ABC's "How To Get Away With Murder," played by Viola Davis, who won an Emmy for the role.

Pronounced AN-uh-leez.

As of October 2026, Annalise ranked #409 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #385 in 2021, Nameberry popularity #527.