Quintin is a name of Latin origin, derived from the word "quintus," which means "fifth." It was traditionally given to the fifth child in a family, as the naming pattern for children in ancient Rome often followed this convention.
The name Quintin has been used throughout history and can be found among various notable figures. One of the earliest known individuals named Quintin is Saint Quintinus, who was martyred during the Roman persecutions against Christians. He is considered a saint by several Christian denominations and his feast day is celebrated on April 30th.
In literature, Quintin has appeared in works by prominent authors such as Charles Dickens and George Eliot. InDickens' novel "David Copperfield," Quintin Matsys is a character who plays a significant role in the story. Meanwhile, in Eliot's novel "Silas Marner," there is a character named Godfrey Cass whose younger brother is named Quintin.
The name Quintin has also been used by royalty throughout history. For instance, Quintin the Fat was a Count of Maine who lived during the 10th century. He was known for his role in supporting the Capetian dynasty and was eventually buried at the abbey of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.
Today, Quintin remains a unique and distinctive name that is still used by families around the world. It may be less common than some other names, but its historical significance and Latin roots make it an appealing choice for parents looking for something different for their child.
The name Quintin experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the course of a century, with a notable spike in usage from the late 1980s onwards. During the early to mid-20th century, the name had relatively low popularity, with fewer than 25 births per year on average between 1912 and 1960. However, starting around 1963, there was a marked increase in the number of babies named Quintin, reaching a peak of 212 births in 1963. This popularity continued through the late 1960s and early 1970s but began to decline steadily thereafter.
From the mid-1980s onwards, there was another surge in the usage of the name Quintin, with a significant increase in births per year compared to previous decades. Between 1982 and 2006, the number of births ranged from a low of 207 in 1982 to a high of 405 in 1997, with an average of approximately 325 births per year during this period. This trend continued until around the late 2000s and early 2010s when there was another decline in popularity.
In recent years, the name Quintin has experienced a further decrease in usage, with fewer than 200 births recorded annually between 2015 and 2023. Overall, since 1912, there have been a total of 15,359 births for the name Quintin, indicating that it has been used consistently but not exceptionally frequently over time.