Agnes

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Agnes

Choosing a baby name is a significant decision, and understanding the history, popularity, and alternatives of a name can be incredibly helpful. Let’s delve into the details of the name Agnes.

Agnes Name Popularity

How popular is the name Agnes? Here’s what the data reveals about its historical usage. The name Agnes, derived from the Greek word "hagnos" meaning "pure" or "chaste," experienced its peak in popularity during the early 20th century. Let’s examine the data.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 41 2,149 0.6104%
1911 39 2,307 0.6195%
1912 40 2,936 0.5822%
1913 40 3,202 0.5648%
1914 44 3,717 0.5334%
1915 45 4,790 0.5272%
1916 50 4,851 0.5022%
1917 48 5,062 0.506%
1918 47 5,283 0.4922%
1919 50 4,899 0.4679%
1920 54 4,901 0.4408%
1921 56 4,794 0.4187%
1922 62 4,478 0.4019%
1923 63 4,217 0.3765%
1924 63 4,234 0.3646%
1925 69 3,909 0.3458%
1926 77 3,523 0.3203%
1927 82 3,332 0.301%
1928 85 3,016 0.2819%
1929 94 2,763 0.2667%
1930 101 2,504 0.2397%
1931 103 2,292 0.2322%
1932 114 2,108 0.2134%
1933 117 1,864 0.2001%
1934 119 1,920 0.1986%
1935 138 1,569 0.1615%
1936 138 1,573 0.1633%
1937 153 1,406 0.1427%
1938 157 1,382 0.135%
1939 162 1,285 0.1263%
1940 170 1,179 0.1109%
1941 179 1,066 0.0947%
1942 187 1,110 0.0879%
1943 201 1,029 0.0788%
1944 206 939 0.0758%
1945 231 790 0.0648%
1946 243 838 0.0568%
1947 264 807 0.0483%
1948 269 800 0.0501%
1949 287 687 0.0427%
1950 286 710 0.0441%
1951 310 618 0.0364%
1952 331 582 0.0333%
1953 323 613 0.0346%
1954 375 489 0.0268%
1955 364 536 0.0291%
1956 398 476 0.0252%
1957 424 441 0.0229%
1958 466 374 0.0198%
1959 470 379 0.0199%
1960 475 385 0.0203%
1961 488 350 0.0185%
1962 520 307 0.0167%
1963 538 278 0.0155%
1964 598 230 0.0131%
1965 601 213 0.013%
1966 690 147 0.0094%
1967 700 146 0.0096%
1968 829 101 0.0067%
1969 899 87 0.0056%
1970 1056 66 0.0041%
1971 951 84 0.0056%
1972 1069 60 0.0044%
1973 1315 35 0.0027%
1974 1305 38 0.0029%
1975 1309 40 0.0031%
1976 1519 27 0.0021%
1977 1692 22 0.0016%
1978 1707 23 0.0017%
1979 1606 28 0.002%
1980 1550 32 0.0022%
1981 1254 56 0.0038%
1982 1416 41 0.0027%
1983 1536 32 0.0022%
1984 1595 29 0.0019%
1985 1605 32 0.0021%
1986 1516 37 0.0025%
1987 1651 32 0.0021%
1988 1601 37 0.0024%
1989 1607 43 0.0027%
1990 1839 34 0.0021%
1991 1897 31 0.0019%
1992 2123 24 0.0015%
1993 1983 29 0.0019%
1994 1919 36 0.0023%
1995 1985 28 0.0019%
1996 1947 29 0.0019%
1997 2871 10 0.0007%
1998 1826 37 0.0025%
1999 2294 22 0.0015%
2000 1907 38 0.0025%
2001 2406 21 0.0014%
2002 2347 22 0.0015%
2003 2231 27 0.0018%
2004 2437 21 0.0014%
2005 2822 14 0.0009%
2006 2440 24 0.0015%
2007 2704 17 0.0011%
2008 2814 14 0.0009%
2009 2392 24 0.0016%
2010 2338 24 0.0017%
2011 1913 41 0.0029%
2012 1795 48 0.0034%
2013 1728 54 0.0038%
2014 1125 147 0.0101%
2015 1170 137 0.0094%
2016 1028 179 0.0124%
2017 1110 141 0.0101%
2018 1088 141 0.0103%
2019 1023 161 0.0119%
2020 1292 120 0.0094%
2021 1181 136 0.0111%
2022 1124 165 0.0125%
2023 1098 172 0.0133%

This data, sourced from SSA.gov, shows a significant decline in popularity throughout the mid to late 20th century. However, in recent years, especially since 2014, Agnes has seen a small resurgence, suggesting a renewed interest in this classic name. The District of Columbia shows some sporadic, low-level usage throughout the years, depicted graphically.

The Meaning of Agnes: More Than Just Purity

While "pure" and "chaste" are the standard translations, the name Agnes carries a deeper resonance. In early Christian tradition, Agnes of Rome was a young virgin martyr who refused to marry, dedicating her life to her faith. Her unwavering devotion cemented the name’s association with innocence, faith, and strength of conviction. This historical and religious significance adds layers of meaning beyond its simple definition.

Names Like Agnes

If you’re drawn to Agnes but seek alternatives, consider these options:

Diminutives:

  • Aggie: A friendly, shorter version of Agnes, also meaning "good, pure."

Variants:

  • Ag: Meaning "good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agafi: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agafia: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agafon: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek). (Also a male name)
  • Aggi: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Aggy: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Aggye: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Aghna: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agi: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agie: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agna: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnella: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnelle: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnese: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agness: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnessa: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnethe: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnetta: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnie: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnieszka: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnola: Meaning "Angel" (Italian).
  • Agnolah: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agnus: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agot: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agota: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agote: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agoti: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agy: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Agye: Meaning "Good, honorable; pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Aigneis: Meaning "Pure" (Celtic).
  • Ainah: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Anais: Meaning "Grace" (Hebrew).
  • Anessa: Meaning "Pure, holy; satisfaction" (Greek).
  • Anis: Meaning "Pure, holy; satisfaction" (Greek).
  • Anise: Meaning "Modern"
  • Anissa: Meaning "Pure, holy; satisfaction; He (God) has favored me" (Hebrew).
  • Annais: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Annest: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Annice: Meaning "Pure, holy; satisfaction; He (God) has favored me" (Hebrew).
  • Anniesse: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Annis: Meaning "Satisfaction" (Greek).
  • Annisa: Meaning "Pure, holy; satisfaction" (Greek).
  • Annise: Meaning "Pure, holy; He (God) has favored me" (Hebrew).
  • Ina: Meaning "The symbol of femininity"
  • Inah: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Ines: Meaning "Pure, holy; chaste" (Spanish).
  • Inessa: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Spanish).
  • Inez: Meaning "The chaste one" (Spanish).
  • Nesi: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Nessa: Meaning "Pure, holy; butterfly" (Greek).
  • Nessah: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Nessie: Meaning "Pure" (Scottish).
  • Nessy: Meaning "Pure, holy; butterfly" (Greek).
  • Nesta: Meaning "Pure" (Welsh).
  • Nestah: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Neysa: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Oona: Meaning "Lamb" (Scottish).
  • Oonagh: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Scottish).
  • Oonah: Meaning "Pure, holy" (Greek).
  • Senga: (Scottish).
  • Una: Meaning "One" (Latin).
  • Ynes: Meaning "Pure, holy; chaste" (Spanish).
  • Ynez: Meaning "Chaste" (Spanish).

Sound-Alike Names:

  • Annes: Meaning "Satisfaction" (Greek).
  • Annus: Meaning "He (God) has favored me" (Hebrew).
  • Annys: Meaning "Satisfaction" (Greek).
  • Innes: Meaning "One choice" (Celtic). (Also a male name)

Similar Names:

  • Anice: Meaning "Satisfaction" (Greek).
  • Annette: A French variant of Anna.

Siblings of Agnes

If you’re curious about names that pair well with Agnes, parents who chose Agnes also selected:

  • Jewel: Meaning "Plaything, delight" (French).
  • Willow: Meaning "Willow tree" (English).
  • Adrien: Meaning "From Hadria" (Latin).
  • Damien: Meaning "To tame" (French).
  • Persephone: Meaning "Bringer of destruction" (Greek).
  • Sebastien: Meaning "Revered" (Greek).
  • Phoenix: Meaning "Dark red" (Greek).
  • Leverett: Meaning "Young Hare" (French).
  • Iris: Meaning "Rainbow" (Greek).
  • Freya: Meaning "Lady" (Scandinavian).
  • Rowan: Meaning "Of the rowan tree" (Gaelic).
  • Wyatt: Meaning "Brave in battle" (English).
  • Briar: Meaning "Shrub, Small Tree" (English).
  • Rose: Meaning "Rose flower" (English).
  • Sage: Meaning "Healing herb" (Latin).

Choosing a name is a personal journey. Understanding the meaning, history, and potential alternatives can empower you to make a choice that resonates with your values and aspirations for your child.

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