Algis is of Lithuanian origin, derived from the Old High German elements 'Adal' meaning 'noble' and 'gisel' meaning 'pledge'. It was popularized by Algirdas, a 14th-century Grand Duke of Lithuania.
Algis had varying popularity throughout the decade of the 1950s, with peaks in 1953 (10 births) and 1957 (10 births), and lowest points in 1952 and 1961 (both with 5 births). The name's overall usage steadily declined over time, as indicated by the total of 104 births over these 14 years.