Anaïs, Anaís, or Anais () is a female given name. It is widely thought to be a French Provençal and Catalan version of Anna. Some suggest it is derived from Anahita, the name of the Persian goddess of fertility and healing.
Since about 1980, the name Anaïs has been especially popular in France, perhaps due to the popularity of the Cacharel perfume "Anaïs Anaïs". There is no account of the name in France before the late eighteenth century, when it is traceable in Provence and Catalonia. The diminutive form Naïs was the title of a film by Marcel Pagnol.
People with the given name
In literature
Anaïs Nin (writer) (1903-1977), real name Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell, a French-Cuban-American diarist, essayist, novelist and writer of short stories and erotica Marjorie Anaïs Housepian Dobkin, Armenian-American writer and professor
In music
Anaïs (singer) (born 1965), real name Régine Hantelle, a French female singer, also part of duo Alice et Anaïs and the duo Anaïs et Didier Barbelivien Anaís (born 1984), Dominican Latin pop singer, winner of the second season of Objetivo Fama Anaïs Lameche (born 1987), Swedish singer Anaïs Mitchell (born 1981), American singer-songwriter and musician Anaïs Perrière-Pilte (1836–1878), French composer Anaís Vivas (born 1989), Venezuelan singer
In film and theater
Anaís (actress) (born 1974), Mexican actress
Anaïs Aubert, known as Mademoiselle Anaïs (1802–1871), French actress
Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette (born 1979), Canadian actress, film director, and screenwriter Anaïs Delva (born 1986), French singer and actress Anaïs Demoustier (born 1987), French actress Anaïs Fargueil (1819–1896), French actress Anais Granofsky (born 1973), Canadian actress, screenwriter, producer and director Anaïs Perrière-Pilte (1809–1878), French composer
In fashion
Anais Catala, Iraqi-French model
Anais Mali (born 1991), French model
Anais Pouliot (born 1991), Canadian model
Anaïs Veerapatren (born 1986), Mauritian beauty pageant
In sports
Anaïs Bescond (born 1987), French biathlete
Anaïs Caradeux (born 1990), French skier
Anaïs Chevalier (born 1993), French biathlete
Anais García Balmaña (born 1980), Spanish Paralympic swimmer
Anaïs Lagougine (born 1988), French rugby union player
Anaïs Laurendon (born 1985), French tennis player
Anaïs Michel (born 1988), French weightlifter
Anaïs Morand (born 1993), Swiss figure skater
Anaïs Laurendon (born 1985), French tennis player
Anais Oyembo (born 1980), Gabonese sprinter
Anaïs Ventard (born 1996), French figure skater
Anaïs Notario Reinoso (born 1997), Spanish triathlete
In other fields
Anaïs Baydemir (born 1979), French-Turkish journalist and weather presenter
Anaïs Napoleón (1831–1912), French-Spanish photographer
Anaïs Toudouze (1822–1899), French artist and fashion illustrator
Fictional characters
Madame Anaïs, brothel-keeper in the 1928 novel Belle de Jour and the 1967 film of the same name Anaïs, portrayed by Anaïs Reboux in the film À ma sœur! (2001) Anais Watterson, in the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball Anais, the Latin American dub name for Fuu of Magic Knight Rayearth Anais, Mopsmadam (Auriau) Saint Anais, Living Saint of Sisters of Battle Order of the Sacred Rose, in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Soulstorm video game Anais, illegitimate daughter of king Foltest in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings video game Anais Adler, portrayed by Eve O'Brien in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 21, episode 8). Anais Barnes-Gaines, the daughter of Sheryll Barnes and Charlotte Gaines on FBI: Most Wanted
Wildlife
Colibri d'Anaïs, also known as sparkling violetear (Colibri coruscans) is a species of hummingbird
See also
Anaïs (disambiguation)
