'Annelies' originates from Dutch and German, specifically from the compound name 'Anneliese', where 'Anne' (from 'Anna') meant 'grace' and 'Lies' (from 'Elisabeth') meant 'God is my oath'.

'Annelies' developed as a shortened or regional form of the German/Dutch 'Anneliese', itself formed from the older names 'Anna' and 'Elisabeth'; over time it became established as an independent given name in its modern spelling.

Initially it conveyed the combined name-elements' senses ('grace' + 'God is my oath'), but it has since evolved into a proper personal name used without emphasis on the literal composite meaning.