'annite' originates from 19th-century mineral-naming practice combining a personal name element 'Ann' (a dedication) with the mineral-forming suffix '-ite' (from Greek '-ites'), where '-ite' meant 'connected with' or 'of the nature of' (used for rocks and minerals).

'annite' was coined as the mineral name in the 19th century and has remained in use in mineralogy as the name for the iron-rich end-member of the biotite series; its form has remained essentially unchanged into modern English.

Initially it named this specific iron-rich mica mineral, and over time it has retained that technical mineralogical meaning without substantial change.