Annaliese

Meaning of Annaliese

Annaliese fuses the timeless Anna with Liese, a German short form of Elisabeth, thereby combining “grace” with “pledged to God” in one four-syllable bundle. In its homeland it is pronounced AH-nah-lee-zuh; in everyday English it becomes the brisk AN-uh-lees. The hybrid first appeared in American records during the 1930s, slipped out of sight, and has, since the mid-1960s, occupied the lower reaches of the U.S. Top 1000, most recently around the 850 mark—evidence that it is recognizable yet far from ubiquitous. The name offers two classics for the price of one, which may explain its quiet staying power. Notable bearers include the German soprano Annaliese Rothenberger and TV’s formidable Professor Annalise Keating, lending both artistic and intellectual overtones. With saintly roots, an international accent, and a spelling that looks more elaborate than it feels, Annaliese gives parents a gently distinctive option that nods to tradition without surrendering to the crowd.