'Anneliese' originates from German, specifically the combination of the names 'Anna' and 'Liese' (a diminutive of 'Elisabeth'), where 'Anna' ultimately comes from Hebrew 'Channah' meaning 'favor, grace' and 'Elisabeth' comes from Hebrew 'Elisheva' meaning 'my God is an oath'.

'Anneliese' changed from older German compound forms and variant spellings such as 'Annelise' and 'Annelies' and eventually became the modern given name 'Anneliese' used in German and other languages.

Initially it meant a compound of the two names ('Anna' + 'Liese', literally 'grace' + 'God's oath'), but over time it evolved into a standalone feminine given name without necessarily invoking the original element meanings directly.