Annegret

Annegret is a German feminine given name, formed by combining Anne 1 and Grete. This type of compound name was particularly common in Germanic naming traditions, often merging two established names to create a new, meaningful variant.

Etymology

The first element, Anne, is the French form of Anna, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Hannah (Channah), meaning "favor" or "grace." The second element, Grete, is a German short form of Margaret, derived from the Greek word margarites meaning "pearl." Thus, Annegret can be interpreted as "graceful pearl" or a combination of the qualities associated with these two names — divine favor and preciousness.

Notable Bearers

Several notable German women have borne the name Annegret:

• Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (born 1962), a prominent German CDU politician who served as Minister of Defence under Chancellor Angela Merkel, and as Leader of the Christian Democratic Union from 2018 to 2021.
• Annegret Richter (born 1950), a German track and field sprinter who won the gold medal in the 100 metres at the 1976 Summer Olympics, setting a world record in the process.
• Annegret Soltau (born 1946), a German visual artist known for her pioneering work in feminist art and performance.
• Annegret Kroniger (1952–2025), a German athlete and sprinter competing mainly in the 100 metres.

Each of these bearers reflects the versatility of the name Annegret, having achieved recognition in fields as varied as politics, sports, and the arts within German-speaking regions.

Popular Usage

Annegret is almost exclusively used in Germany. While more common in the mid-20th century, its popularity has declined in recent decades, but it remains recognizable as a traditional German compound name. It is more formal in tone but can be affectionately shortened to Anne 1 or Grete.

• Meaning: Combination of Anne (grace) and Grete (pearl)
• Origin: German
• Type: Compound, Feminine Given Name
• Usage Regions: Germany