Annelise is a female given name of German origin, derived from the Old High German elements "ann" meaning "grace" or "favor," and "lise," which is a diminutive form of the name "Liutgard." Liutgard was an old Germanic name that means "people-war." Thus, the name Annelise combines these meanings to denote "grace of the people."
The name Annelise gained popularity in the late 19th century and has since been used widely across various German-speaking regions. However, it is not limited to Germany alone; it can be found among other European countries as well.
Historically, there are no notable figures with the name Annelise that stand out significantly from those of similar names. Therefore, its history is largely tied to its linguistic origins and cultural usage over time.
In terms of pronunciation, Annelise is typically pronounced /ˈɑːnəlaɪz/ in English-speaking countries, with emphasis on the first syllable and a long 'a' sound as in "father." In German-speaking regions, it might be pronounced slightly differently but follows the same general pattern.
The name Annelise has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years in the United States. With only five births recorded each year in both 1930 and 1947, it was not a common name during these earlier periods.
However, starting from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, there was a notable rise in the number of newborn girls named Annelise. In 1966, the birth count jumped to 16, and this upward trend continued throughout the following decade.
The 1970s brought a consistent increase in popularity for the name Annelise, with at least ten births recorded each year between 1970 and 1978. This trend continued into the 1980s, with more than 20 births per year from 1981 onwards.
The peak of popularity for the name Annelise in the United States occurred in the late 1980s to early 1990s, with a significant spike reaching 148 births recorded in 1997. This level of popularity was maintained throughout much of the 2000s and even into the 2010s, with at least 150 births per year from 2000 to 2013.
Although there has been a slight decline in recent years, with fewer than 150 births recorded annually since 2014, Annelise remains a popular name. Since 1930, a total of 6118 newborn girls have been named Annelise in the United States, demonstrating its enduring appeal over generations.