Never heard of this name before

[stanmapstone]

In the 1881 Census there is an Annaus Smith Walloc, second mate of the "Halvard" in Hartlepool
RG11; Piece: 4912; Folio: 92; Page: -8

Stan

[John915]

Good evening,

I have had a search of girls names in German, Dutch and Belgian but Annaus doesn't appear in any of them. It sort of sounds Germanic or Dutch but not there.

John915

[fastfusion]

Firstly> Annan is a surname found in Wiltshire .

Secondly> if u ever have problems generalising with a surname .....shove it in freebmduk and have looksee what registration district pops up most frequently

have fun

[Barbara.H]

Might it be a variant of the French name Anais?

  Barbara

[ShaunJ]

There are a quite a few females named Annis or Annas in the censuses. I think this is just a variant spelling.

[Galium]

Annis is a variant of Agnes.

[joboy]

I've never heard of it before (is it some sort of nickname?) - has anyone else come across it?
[/quote]

Maybe she is related to Kofi Annan? 
[/quote]
Caffe'Noir perhaps?

[mrs.tenacious]

In the 1881 Census there is an Annaus Smith Walloc, second mate of the "Halvard" in Hartlepool
RG11; Piece: 4912; Folio: 92; Page: -8

Stan

Well, at least there's another one!

Thanks for all your interesting thoughts and suggestions.  It remains a bit of a mystery in terms of how/why my ancestor called herself this after being christened (and known as) Amy.

[mare]

Similar thoughts as others, I thought Anais ( French ) though she could have used Ami or Amie or alternatives 
As Galium said, Annis is variant of Agnes

'My book' gives Annus, Annis, Annice, Annes, Anise, Anis, Anesse as variations of Anice ( English ) an alternate form of Agnes

also Annus a variation of Anci (Hungarian ) a form of Hannah