In our Name vs. Name posts, we take two similar names, break them down, and then vote for our favorite and ask YOU to do the same. Today’s matchup is a battle of the “Annas,” with Annabelle and Annalise as our two stunning contenders.
Name 1: Annabelle
Origin: French
Meaning: “loving”
Pronunciation: anna-bell
Nicknames: Ann, Anna, Annie, Bella, Belle, Ellie
Current Rank: #141
Trending: popular, though slightly decreasing in popularity since 2015
Our Take: Visually, Annabelle is a blend of the two names Anna and Belle, but it is also a variant of the French name Amabel. (Amabel is rarely used now, with short-form Mabel used almost exclusively in its place). Annabelle is a bit of a vintage revival name, having been ranked in the US from about 1910-1949 and coming back onto the charts again in 1996. A name with history, Annabelle has contemporary appeal. It currently ranks #141 on the SSA’s list of most popular female baby names in the US. And when you factor in its MANY alternate spellings– Anabel, Annabell, Annabel, Anabelle, Anabell (are we missing any?)– the name is likely much more popular. While we went with the most classic spelling here, Annabelle’s most famous association is probably Edgar Allan Poe’s Annabel Lee, from his chillingly beautiful poem of the same name.
Name 2: Annalise
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “grace”
Pronunciation: anna-lease or anna-lees
Nicknames: Alise, Ann, Anna, Annie, Lee, Lisa, Lise, Lisey
Rank: #429
Trending: hovering in the “sweet spot”
Our Take: Though its root names are Hebrew, Annalise is a combo name that is of German origin, a mix of Anna and Elisabeth (“Liese” is a short form of the name). Combo names are on trend right now, with parents seeking the originality of an unexpected mixed name with the familiarity of sound of the combining names. Annalise is a prime example of this trend, as a name that first joined the top-1000 US baby names as recently as the mid 1990s! Yet the names that make up Annalise (Anna and Elizabeth) have some serious tradition behind them, so the name also appeals to parents who want something with a little history. And for fans of Shondaland, Annalise Keating of How to Get Away with Murder (portrayed by Viola Davis) is a pop culture association that sticks the name firmly in today.
The Verdict
Sophisticated in their full forms and given flexibility by their ample nicknames, we love the versatility of both of these beauties. Annabelle and Annalise work well as honor names for a beloved Anna, or as a way to blend multiple honor names into a combo name. Annabelle has a sweetness that has kept it well loved and relatively popular throughout the years, while Annalise’s freshness makes it unusual enough to stand out.
Star’s pick: Annabelle
Lynda’s pick: Annalise
Vote for your favorite, and tell us why in the comments!