Agnes

Meaning of Agnes

Agnes—spoken with a bright, two-beat AG-nis in English—traces a shimmering line all the way back to the Greek hagnos, “pure.” Over the centuries that purity has taken many shapes: the brave teenage martyr Saint Agnes, the quietly determined governess of Anne Brontë’s Agnes Grey, the minimalist canvases of painter Agnes Martin, even the pig-tailed scene-stealer from Despicable Me. Stateside, this vintage charmer once twirled in the national Top 50, then settled into a long nap, only to stir again in recent years, rising to No. 718 in 2024—proof that parents are dusting off heirloom names with fresh affection. Short, saintly, and nickname-friendly (hello, Aggie, Ness, or Nessa), Agnes offers a clean, classic sound that stands out amid today’s swirl of elaborate syllables. For moms and dads craving a name that feels both time-tested and ready for tomorrow, Agnes shines like a well-polished locket—simple on the outside, brimming with history and heart within.