Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Ines
GirlSpanish, Portuguese· “pure, holy”
- Meaning
- pure, holy
- Origin
- Spanish, Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- ee-NEHS
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,111
- US babies 2025
- 213
- Best rank
- #715 (1916)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Ines
Ines is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “pure, holy”.
Ines is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Agnes, from the Greek hagne, meaning pure or holy. Saint Agnes of Rome, a young martyr of the early church, made the name widely beloved. Inês de Castro, a fourteenth-century Galician noblewoman whose tragic love story with Prince Pedro of Portugal became legend, is a famous bearer. Ines is pronounced ee-NEHS. It has an elegant, classic feel and is popular in Spain, Portugal and France. Nessa and Ina are affectionate short forms.
Popularity over time
Ines first appears in US Social Security records in 1883. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 39 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #715 in 1916, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 213 were named Ines. In 2025, 213 babies were named Ines, and it ranked #1,111 nationally. That is 117% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #898 in 1920, #2,151 in 1950, #2,712 in 1980, #2,113 in 2000, #2,569 in 2010, and #1,111 in 2025. Of the 6,751 US girls named Ines since records began, 14% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 890 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ariela, Sia, Imogen, Xolani, and Wrenly.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ines ranked highest in Massachusetts, Washington, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #586 | 9 |
| Washington | #710 | 9 |
| California | #760 | 41 |
| Texas | #769 | 39 |
| New York | #807 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Ines over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Ines is usually pronounced ee-NEHS, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with I and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Ines
A few middle names that flow with Ines: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ines
Similar names
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Lists that include Ines
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ines mean?
Ines is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “pure, holy”.
What is the origin of the name Ines?
Ines has Spanish, Portuguese, and Greek roots. Ines is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Agnes, from the Greek hagne, meaning pure or holy.
Is Ines a popular name?
Not especially. Ines ranked #1,111 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ines a boy or girl name?
Ines is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Ines over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Ines?
Ines is usually pronounced ee-NEHS. 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