Ennis is a masculine given name of English origin, transferred from the Irish surname Ennis, which itself derives from the Irish word inis meaning "island" or "river meadow." Historically, the Anglicized surname originated from the Irish Gaelic Ó hAonghuis or Ó hAonghusa (descendant of Aonghus), but the given name is specifically linked to the locational meaning. The name is also associated with the town of Ennis in County Clare, Ireland, whose Irish name Inis refers to its location on an island between two courses of the River Fergus. As a first name, Ennis has been used primarily in English-speaking countries, though it remains relatively uncommon outside of Ireland and the Irish diaspora. Cultural Significance The name Ennis is most famously tied to the Irish town of the same name, County Clare's largest town with a population of nearly 28,000. The town dates back to the 12th century, when a monastery was established there, and it later became known as Inis Cluana Rámhfhada ('Island of the long rowing meadow'). While the given name does not have deep religious or mythological roots, it carries cultural weight as a surname borne by notable figures, most notably the actor Ennis Cosby, son of Bill Cosby, and the fictional ranch Ennis in the film Brokeback Mountain, whose protagonist Ennis Del Mar brought the name to popular attention in the 21st century. Related and Variant Forms Ennis is sometimes used as a variant of her lover Ennis; the surname has related forms such as Ennis (uncommon first name) or patronymics like O'Hennessy and Haughney derived from the same Irish root Ó hAonghuis. However, as a first name, Ennis may also be a short form or diminutive of related names in different traditions, though this is less common. Key Facts Meaning: "island" or "river meadow" (from Irish inis) Origin: Irish surname, Anglicized from Gaelic Type: Forename Usage: Principally English (particularly in Ireland); occasionally used as a given name for boys and, rarely, girls.