Agnes - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Agnes \ag-nes\ is pronounced AG-ness. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "pure, holy". Latinized form of the Greek name Hagnes, from the feminine form of "hagnos". The popular Saint Agnes (fourth century) was a young Roman virgin martyred by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Her emblem is a lamb; the Latin word for "lamb" is "agnus". The name was revived in the 19th century. Anaïs and Anniesse are French variants; Agnethe is German; Agnese is Italian; Annest and Nesta are Welsh; Agneis is Irish; Agnieska is Polish. Choreographer Agnes De Mille; actress Agnes Moorhead; writer Anaïs Nin; film director Annest Holland.

Agnes has 75 variant forms: Ag, Agafi, Agafia, Agafon, Aggi, Aggie, Aggy, Aggye, Aghna, Agi, Agie, Agna, Agnah, Agneis, Agnella, Agnellah, Agnelle, Agnese, Agness, Agnessa, Agnesse, Agneta, Agnethe, Agnetta, Agnettah, Agnie, Agnieszka, Agnola, Agnolah, Agnus, Agot, Agota, Agote, Agoti, Agy, Agye, Aigneis, Ainah, Anaïs, Anessa, Anis, Anise, Anissa, Annais, Annest, Anneyce, Annice, Anniesse, Annis, Annisa, Annisah, Annise, Ina, Inah, Ines, Inessa, Inez, Nessa, Nessah, Nesi, Nessie, Nessy, Nesta, Nestah, Nevsa, Nevesah, Neysa, Oona, Oonagh, Oonah, Senga, Una, Unah, Ynes and Ynez.

For more information, see also related names Anice and Annette.

Baby names that sound like Agnes are Annes, Annys, Annus and Innes.

Agnes is a very popular female first name and a popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Agnes. Click here to compare Agnes with related baby names.