The name Commodore is of English origin and has a rich history rooted in maritime tradition. It was originally an occupational title given to the commander of a merchant vessel or the captain of a ship-of-the-line, which was a large warship used by naval forces from the late 17th century onwards.
In the Royal Navy, the rank of Commodore is still held today as an executive officer who commands a squadron of ships and reports directly to a Rear-Admiral. The term "Commodore" comes from the Latin word "commodus," meaning "suitable" or "proper," reflecting the idea that such an individual was deemed suitable for command.
Over time, Commodore has evolved beyond its nautical origins and is now also used as a given name. It gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 19th century but remains relatively rare compared to more common names like John or William. Nevertheless, those who bear this unique name can take pride in its strong maritime heritage and history of leadership.
In summary, Commodore is an English name with a long and distinguished history in the navy. While it has since been adopted as a given name, its original meaning and association with command continue to give it a bold and powerful character.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Commodore has seen a varied number of births in the United States from 1880 to 1964.
The earliest recorded birth with the name Commodore was in 1880, with 6 instances. The next peak occurred in 1882 and 1884, both years seeing 7 births each. The number of births then fluctuated, ranging from a low of 5 to a high of 9 until 1902.
The period between 1908 and 1923 saw an increase in the popularity of the name Commodore, with a consistent number of births each year, ranging from 5 to 20. The year 1923 was particularly notable, with 20 births recorded.
From 1924 onwards, the popularity of the name Commodore seemed to decline. There were fewer than 10 births per year, with some years having only 5 or 6 births. The most recent data point available is from 1964, which saw 5 births.
Overall, there have been a total of 368 births with the name Commodore in the United States between 1880 and 1964. This demonstrates that while Commodore may not have been one of the most popular names during this period, it did maintain a consistent presence throughout these years.