Etymology and OriginsAnnice is a feminine given name of English origin, considered a variant of Annis, which itself is a medieval English form of Agnes. Agnes, in turn, comes from the Greek name Hagne, meaning "chaste," derived from the Greek element hagnos (chaste). The name gained prominence through Saint Agnes, a virgin martyr during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Her name became linked to the Latin word agnus (lamb), leading to her common depiction with a lamb. Annice entered the English naming pool as a phonetic and visual variation of Annis, occasionally confused with the more common Ann or Anne.Notable BearersNotable individuals bearing the name Annice include Annice (slave) (died 1828), the first female slave legally executed in Missouri; Annice Calland (1879–1943), an American writer; Annice Sidwells (1902–2001), an English singer; and Annice M. Wagner (born 1937), Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. These figures span diverse fields, from poetry and music to law and American history.Cultural Significance and UsageUnlike its root name Agnes, Annice never achieved widespread popularity. It is regarded as a rarer choice, often selected for its soft phonetic ending or to honor a family tradition from the An- format (e.g., Ann, Annis). The name retains a quaint, old-fashioned flavor, fitting within the set of feminine names popular in English-speaking regions from the Middle Ages into the 20th century. Related forms include the Agness variant, diminutives Nancy, Nan, and Nance, and numerous foreign equivalents such as Agnès (French), Ines (Swedish), and Janja (Slovene). Meaning: "chaste" (via Agnes)Origin: English variant of AnnisType: First nameUsage: English-speaking regions