Anise
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "dill" or "aniseed".
Name Census estimates that about 891 living Americans carry the first name Anise. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Anise today is around 38 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Anise births was 1992 (23 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Anise. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
891
~ 1 in 384,685 Americans
Peak year
1992
23 babies that year
Average age
38
years old
2024 SSA rank
#15,431
Tracked since 1893
Popularity
Anise: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Anise from the 1890s through to the 2020s, spanning 14 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 191 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Anise by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Anise during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Anises live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. California, Michigan, Louisiana recorded the most babies named Anise, while New York, Louisiana, Michigan recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 13 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Anise
The name Anise originates from the Greek word "ánīson," which means "dill" or "anise." It is believed to have been derived from the Semitic root "nsh," meaning "to make fragrant." The name has been associated with the anise plant, known for its licorice-like aroma and flavor.
In ancient Greece, the anise plant was highly valued for its culinary and medicinal properties. The name Anise was likely used to honor the plant's significance and the sweetness it imparted to various dishes and remedies. It may have been a popular name among families involved in the cultivation or trade of anise.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Anise can be found in the works of the ancient Greek poet Theocritus, who lived in the 3rd century BC. In his idylls, he mentions the use of anise in various contexts, suggesting the name's existence during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Anise. One of the earliest recorded figures was Anise of Thessalonica, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. She was venerated for her unwavering faith and is celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
In the 12th century, Anise de Courtenay was a French noblewoman and the daughter of Louis VI, King of France. She played a significant role in the political affairs of the time and was known for her diplomatic skills.
During the Renaissance period, Anise Vitali (1530-1572) was an Italian painter and engraver known for her religious works and portraits. She was one of the few female artists to gain recognition in the male-dominated art world of her time.
In the 19th century, Anise Tiffauges (1845-1897) was a French novelist and poet who wrote extensively about rural life and the experiences of working-class individuals. Her works were widely acclaimed for their realism and social commentary.
Another notable figure was Anise Mouton (1892-1979), a Cajun musician and singer from Louisiana. She was a prominent figure in the preservation and promotion of Cajun music and culture, and her recordings are considered invaluable historical documents.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Anise throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
People
Anise + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Anise as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with A
Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Anise: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Anise?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 891 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Anise going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 384,685 US residents.
Is Anise a common name?
We classify Anise as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,233 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Anise most popular?
The single biggest year for Anise was 1992, when 23 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Anise is about 38 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Anise a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Anise in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.