Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Anise
GirlEnglish, Greek· “from the herb anise”
- Meaning
- from the herb anise
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- A-nihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #10,176
- US babies 2025
- 9
- Best rank
- #1,344 (1901)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Anise
Anise is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “from the herb anise”.
Anise is the name of an aromatic herb with a licorice flavor, used in baking and in drinks such as ouzo and pastis. The word comes through Latin from the Greek anison. As a given name, Anise can also be read as a variant of Annice, a medieval English form of Agnes, or as a French-style elaboration of Anne. It is said A-nihs, like the herb, though some families say uh-NEES. Annie is a natural nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Anas.
Popularity over time
Anise first appears in US Social Security records in 1893. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,344 in 1901, and the most babies received it in 1992, when 23 were named Anise. In 2025, 9 babies were named Anise, and it ranked #10,176 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,470 in 1920, #2,541 in 1950, #8,213 in 1980, #7,618 in 2000, #5,797 in 2010, and #10,176 in 2025. Of the 1,242 US girls named Anise since records began, 15% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 152 babies. Since 2010, 173 more have been named Anise.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jannett, Prescilla, Carra, Fredricka, and Camile.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Anise is usually pronounced A-nihs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-se”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Anas.
Middle names for Anise
A few middle names that flow with Anise: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Anise
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Lists that include Anise
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Anise mean?
Anise is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “from the herb anise”.
What is the origin of the name Anise?
Anise has English and Greek roots. Anise is the name of an aromatic herb with a licorice flavor, used in baking and in drinks such as ouzo and pastis.
Is Anise a popular name?
Not especially. Anise ranked #10,176 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Anise a boy or girl name?
Anise is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Anise?
Anise is usually pronounced A-nihs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings