Agnes Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Agnes originates from the Greek name 'Hagne', meaning 'pure' or 'holy'. It evolved through Latin and various European languages. The name is associated with Saint Agnes, which contributed to its historical significance in Christian culture. While it may seem outdated in some circles, it still carries a positive connotation and is linked to several notable figures throughout history.
The name Agnes is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Agnes has been stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Agnes' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1844th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2948th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7201st out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 51st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 143rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 386th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1032nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1839th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2484th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1202nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Agnes' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Agnes"
Pronunciation
/ˈæɡ.nɪs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Agnes is derived from the Greek name 'Hagne', meaning 'pure' or 'holy'. It has been associated with Saint Agnes, a Christian martyr from the 4th century, which helped popularize the name in Christian contexts.
Meaning
pure, holy
Language Evolution
Hagne (Greek), Agnes (Latin), Agnès (French), Agnese (Italian), Ágnes (Hungarian)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly due to the veneration of Saint Agnes. It has been a common name in various cultures, especially in Christian communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Agnès, Agnese, Ágnes, Aggie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Agnes is considered somewhat old-fashioned but retains a classic charm. It is viewed positively due to its associations with purity and saintliness.
Famous People
Saint Agnes of Rome, Agnes Moorehead, Agnes Scott, Agnes Varda
Explore More Agnes Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Agnes"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Agnes"
"Agnes" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1844th of 7545 | 285 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2948th of 6773 | 122 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7201st of 7552 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 51st of 9107 | 88,386 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 143rd of 9204 | 30,079 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 386th of 12526 | 10,643 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1032nd of 19264 | 1,929 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1839th of 27321 | 1,118 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2484th of 35406 | 1,097 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1202nd of 30306 | 2,438 |
Regional Popularity of "Agnes" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Agnes" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
3.81% 54th/1416 |
3.12% 43rd/1379 |
3.21% 76th/2366 |
5.69% 65th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
9.12% 141st/1546 |
7.07% 110th/1556 |
6.37% 150th/2353 |
12.15% 188th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
20.25% 451st/2227 |
12.47% 303rd/2430 |
12.44% 355th/2853 |
18.20% 505th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
43.48% 1277th/2937 |
21.36% 744th/3483 |
31.24% 1099th/3518 |
30.27% 1224th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
43.15% 1590th/3685 |
32.89% 1472nd/4475 |
51.23% 2661st/5194 |
27.83% 1758th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
53.40% 2447th/4582 |
37.14% 1918th/5164 |
56.88% 4160th/7313 |
31.88% 2379th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
24.25% 966th/3984 |
23.33% 1047th/4487 |
23.26% 1587th/6822 |
18.51% 1162nd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Agnes"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Agnes" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.