girls' name · peaked 1918

Agnes

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἁγνή (Hagnḗ), coming from Ancient Greek ἁγνός (hagnós, “pure, chaste”), Ancient Greek ἁγνεία (hagneía, “purity, chastity”).

Every Agnes since 1880 — 159,982 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1.883.755.637.518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#1,016
among girls
Babies in 2025
246
named Agnes
Peak year
1918
5,303 babies
All-time total
159,982
since 1880

The story of Agnes

Agnes is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,016 in 2025 with 246 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 159,982 American babies have been named Agnes. Its peak came in 1918, when 5,303 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Agnes stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Agnes year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 246 #1,016
2024 235 #1,061
2023 229 #1,081
2022 228 #1,095
2021 216 #1,138
2020 182 #1,247
2019 215 #1,125
2018 198 #1,199
2017 199 #1,208
2016 233 #1,103
2015 191 #1,275
2014 191 #1,261
2013 124 #1,689
2012 123 #1,700
2011 97 #2,019
2010 67 #2,672
2009 81 #2,375
2008 61 #2,888
2007 65 #2,787
2006 68 #2,632
2005 59 #2,788
2004 57 #2,809
2003 62 #2,579
2002 54 #2,780
2001 60 #2,540
2000 68 #2,279
1995 61 #2,190
1990 76 #1,862
1985 67 #1,710
1980 77 #1,529
1975 86 #1,291
1970 120 #1,026
1965 258 #602
1960 428 #472
1955 563 #369
1950 748 #286
1945 824 #230
1940 1,190 #170 10 #2,324
1935 1,589 #138
1930 2,510 #102 10 #2,610
1925 3,911 #69 14 #2,193
1920 4,907 #54 13 #2,336
1915 4,795 #45 8 #2,834
1910 2,163 #41 13 #860
1905 1,718 #43 11 #742
1900 1,914 #41 8 #970
1895 1,466 #40
1890 1,095 #50
1885 695 #54
1880 473 #54

Famous people named Agnes

  1. Agnes of Rome Religious figure · 291–305
  2. Agnes of Merania Politician · 1175–1201
  3. Agnes of Poitou Politician · 1025–1077
  4. Agnes of Bohemia Religious figure · 1211–1282
  5. Agnes of France, Byzantine Empress Politician · 1171–1220

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Agnes mean?

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἁγνή (Hagnḗ), coming from Ancient Greek ἁγνός (hagnós, “pure, chaste”), Ancient Greek ἁγνεία (hagneía, “purity, chastity”).

How popular is the name Agnes in 2025?

Agnes ranked #1,016 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 246 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Agnes?

159,982 babies have been named Agnes in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Agnes most popular?

Agnes peaked in 1918, when 5,303 newborns received the name.

Is Agnes a boy or girl name?

Agnes is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Agnes rising or falling?

Agnes is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Agnes?

Well-known people named Agnes include Agnes of Rome (religious figure), Agnes of Merania (politician), Agnes of Poitou (politician).

Names like Agnes

Compare Agnes with similar names →