[8][9] Today, the name Ankenes is often used to refer to the suburban Ankenesstrand area, just west of the centre of the town of Narvik.

The European route E6 highway is the main thoroughfare through Ankenesstrand and it follows the shoreline of the Ofotfjorden and Beisfjorden and it then crosses the fjord over the 375-metre (1,230 ft) long Beisfjord Bridge where it then reaches the central part of the town of Narvik.

The first element is derived from the diminutive form of the old male name Anki which is short for Arnkell.

At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Ofoten prestegjeld and the Nordre Salten (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

Here is a list of people who held this position:[13] The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Ankenes was made up of 25 representatives that were elected to four year terms.