Anisah

Meaning & origin

Anisah, closely related to the more familiar Anisa, entered U.S. birth records in 1976 and has since maintained a quiet presence. Its use peaked in 1999, when it was given to roughly 1 in 200,908 baby girls that year. Since 2003, however, the name has been on a falling trajectory in popularity. Despite its low rank, Anisah continues to appeal to families seeking an Arabic name with a gentle, welcoming meaning. While no U.S. states reported enough occurrences to be listed as top states for the name, its pattern of use mirrors that of other soft-sounding Muslim names that saw modest growth in the late 20th century.

Anisah is a feminine given name of Arabic origin, derived from the root 'a-n-s', which conveys familiarity and companionship. It is closely related to the masculine name Anis and the more common Anisa. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and in Muslim communities, though it remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries. Its first recorded use in U.S. Social Security data is 1976, suggesting recent adoption by American families drawn to its melodious sound and positive meaning.