Agnès

Agnès is the French form of the feminine given name Agnes. It derives from the Latin name Agnes, which in turn comes from the Greek word hagnos, meaning pure, sacred, or chaste. The name has been used in Christian contexts since antiquity and has appeared in various forms across Europe.

In addition to the French Agnès, related forms include Agnes (English), Agnese (Italian), and Ágnes (Hungarian). The name remains common in French-speaking countries and is sometimes shortened to Agnès or Angèle in occasional usage, with various diminutives depending on language and culture.

Saint Agnes of Rome, a 4th-century martyr, is a central figure in the name’s history. She is venerated as a patron saint of girls and of chastity, and her cult contributed to the name’s popularity in medieval and early modern Europe. The association with purity and virtue has influenced the name’s reception in literature and religion.

Notable people named Agnès include Agnès Varda (1928–2019), a French film director and a key figure in the French New Wave; Agnès Jaoui (born 1964), a French actress, screenwriter and director; and Agnès B. (Agnès Troublé, born 1949), a French fashion designer and founder of the brand agnès b. The name remains in use in contemporary Francophone communities and appears in diverse cultural contexts.