Kapil is a masculine given name of Sanskrit origin. It is derived from the root verb 'kapila', which means "to be reddish-brown" or "to have tawny color". Kapil is often associated with Lord Krishna, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, who was known for his dark blue skin but also had a reddish hue in some interpretations. Therefore, the name Kapil is sometimes used to refer to Lord Krishna himself.
The name Kapil has been used historically among Hindus and can be found in various Indian languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Telugu. It has also gained popularity outside of India, particularly among Hindu families living abroad.
In terms of history, there are a few notable figures named Kapil. One is Kapila Muni, a sage and one of the seven wise men (Saptarshis) in Hindu mythology. He is considered the founder of the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy. Another historical figure is Kapil Dev, an Indian cricketer who captained the Indian team to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup.
Overall, Kapil is a name with ancient roots and significant historical and cultural importance among Hindus. Its meaning, associated with the color reddish-brown or tawny, makes it a unique choice for parents looking for a meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Kapil has seen a varied pattern of popularity over the past few decades in the United States.
The name first appeared in the top 1000 names list in 1980 with only five births that year. It peaked in popularity between 1982 and 1984, with seven births each year, reaching a total of nine births in 1984. After a dip to six births in 1989, the name saw another peak in 1993 and 1995 with eight births each year.
The early 2000s showed consistent popularity for Kapil, with at least five births every year from 2000 to 2013. The highest number of births during this period was eight, which occurred in four consecutive years (2004 to 2007). However, the name's popularity seemed to decline slightly towards the end of the decade, with only five births recorded in both 2010 and 2013.
Overall, based on the data provided, Kapil has been a relatively uncommon but consistently used name in the United States over the past few decades. With a total of 134 births recorded since 1980, it's clear that there is some enduring appeal to this particular name choice for parents across different eras.