The name Annie originated from the Hebrew name Hannah, which means "grace" or "favor." It first appeared in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. The name Hannah was later Latinized to Anna and became popular in early Christianity.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Annie comes from the medieval English ballad "The Nut-Brown Maid," written around the 15th century. The ballad features a character named Annie, who represents a virtuous and loyal woman.

Annie gained widespread popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom. Notable individuals named Annie from this period include Annie Oakley (1860-1926), the famous American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter, and Annie Besant (1847-1933), a British theosophist and women's rights activist.

In literature, one of the most famous Annies is the title character of the classic novel "Little Orphan Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916). The character later inspired the beloved comic strip and Broadway musical of the same name.

Other notable Annies throughout history include Annie Jump Cannon (1863-1941), an American astronomer who cataloged hundreds of thousands of stars, and Annie Leibovitz (born 1949), the renowned American portrait photographer known for her work with Rolling Stone magazine and Vanity Fair.

Annie has also been a popular name in various cultures around the world. In Scandinavian countries, it is derived from the Old Norse name Ånna, while in French-speaking regions, it is a diminutive of the name Anne.