Agnes | Name Meaning & Origin

Saints Names, English Names, Greek Names, Latin Names

English speaking countries

A Latinate form of the Greek Hagnos. Agnes is often claimed to have an alternative meaning of "lamb," probably due to its similarity to the Latin "agnus." Agnes and its related forms were very popular in Europe before the Reformation, but later lost popularity in Protestant countries due to its association with a non-Biblical saint. Agnes is quite uncommon in English-speaking countries today.

St Agnes was a Roman virgin martyr, and is the patron saint of young girls.

Agnes Macphail was the first woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons. Agnes Moorehead was an American actress, she played Samantha's mother Endora in 'Bewitched'.