A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Annie since 1880
Babies named Annie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Annie's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 17,027 |
| 1890s | 23,122 |
| 1900s | 27,748 |
| 1910s | 52,301 |
| 1920s | 69,468 |
| 1930s | 48,946 |
| 1940s | 38,714 |
| 1950s | 23,682 |
| 1960s | 9,652 |
| 1970s | 5,418 |
| 1980s | 8,262 |
| 1990s | 8,614 |
| 2000s | 8,861 |
| 2010s | 9,867 |
| 2020s | 8,571 |
Meaning & origin
Annie is a name with deep roots and a warm, approachable feel. After peaking way back in 1881, it experienced a long decline before staging a notable revival beginning around 1988. Today, Annie stands at rank 182 nationally as of 2025, given to roughly 1 in every 951 baby girls. Its top-performing states are Mississippi, Alabama, and South Dakota, where the name enjoys its strongest appeal. That enduring Southern and Midwestern popularity hints at a down-home charm that keeps parents returning to this vintage choice.
Annie originated as a medieval English pet form of the names Anne and Anna, which derive from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor'. It has been used independently since at least the 19th century and became widely popular in the English-speaking world. The name is often associated with the beloved comic strip and musical character Little Orphan Annie, which reinforced its cheerful, down-to-earth image.
Where Annie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Annie” around the world
Where Annie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Ireland
#33
in 2025
New Zealand
18
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ann
Sibling names for Annie
Names that share Annie's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Lucy, Mabel, Ruby, Flora, Bessie, Bobbie, Fannie, Frankie, Janie, Lizzie, Mattie, Sammie, Susie, Addie, Ammie, Bettie, Dollie, Jeanie, Jeannie, Marcie, Mollie, Nettie, Pattie, Polly, Sallie, Tessie, Aggie, Davie, Josey, Libbie, Martie, Suzi, Suzie, Suzy, Teddi, Birtie, Crissie, Deanie, Gillie, Ginnie, Henny, Hessie, Katye, Littie, Madgie, Mattye, Meggie, Nonnie, Salli, Sallye, Sussie, Susy, Tinnie, Alcie, Azzie, Cannie, Elsye, Frannie, Geni, Hallee, Hennie, Libbi, Lyndie, Manie, Missie, Anie, Bennye, Epsie, Jeanni, Jeany, Johnye, Ninnie, Stephie
Brothers: Henry, Leo, Oscar, Felix, Walter, Bobby, Joey, Timmy, Davey, Richie, Robbie, Robie, Sammy, Scotty, Arnie, Fredy, Laddie, Mannie, Mick, Mozell, Timmie, Wally, Herbie, Hughey, Tomy, Crockett, Jimie, Lewie, Rannie, Chucky, Emmons, Jhonnie
Names like Annie
Names whose popularity has moved with Annie's over the last 50 years.
