Harvey is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Haraldr, which means "strong" or "powerful". This name was brought to England by the Vikings during their invasions and settlements in the British Isles.
The name Harvey has been popular among the English nobility for centuries. One of the most famous bearers of this name was William Harvey, an English physician who is credited with discovering the circulatory system in the human body. He lived during the 17th century and his groundbreaking work on the heart and blood vessels helped to revolutionize medical science.
In literature, the name Harvey has been used by several notable authors including Jonathan Swift, who named one of the characters in his novel "Gulliver's Travels" Harriot. This character was a young girl who accompanied Gulliver on his adventures.
Today, Harvey is still a popular name for both boys and girls, although it is more commonly used for boys. It has several variants such as Harvey, Harris, and Hari. Some famous people with the name Harvey include comedian and actor Steve Harvey, and basketball player Dwight Howard whose full name is Dwight David Howard Jr., but who goes by the nickname "Superman" or "D12".
Based on the statistics provided, it appears that the name Harve has had a somewhat variable popularity in the United States over the past century and a half, with periods of higher and lower usage.
The name first appeared in significant numbers in the late 19th century, with around 17 births recorded in 1880. This was followed by fluctuations in popularity throughout the next few decades, ranging from a high of 22 births in 1882 to a low of just 5 births in 1898.
Interestingly, there is a noticeable spike in the number of babies named Harve during and after World War II. Between 1940 and 1947, there were consistently around 8 births per year, suggesting that the name may have been influenced by events or trends during this time period.
However, since the mid-20th century, the name Harve has seen a steady decline in popularity. The most recent data point available shows that only 5 babies were named Harve in 1968, indicating that the name is now quite uncommon.
In total, there have been 554 births of the name Harve recorded in the United States over the years covered by these statistics. While this number may seem relatively low compared to more popular names, it suggests that Harve has maintained a consistent, if modest, presence among American baby names for over a century.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Harve has waxed and waned over time, its endurance as a given name in the United States demonstrates its enduring appeal to some parents throughout history.