Baltazar, of Latin origin, means "God protects." It is a traditional and distinguished name that has been used throughout history. In various languages, it holds different forms such as Balthazar in English, Balthasar in German, and Balázs in Hungarian. Baltazar is composed of two elements: "bal" meaning "strong," and "tzar" or "azar" meaning "enemy." Therefore, the name can be interpreted as "strong against enemies" or "strength through adversity."
The name Baltazar gained prominence from the story of the Three Wise Men in the Bible. One of them was named Balthazar, who brought myrrh to baby Jesus. This association has contributed to the name's enduring popularity, particularly among Christian communities.
In literature and art, Baltazar has been adopted by several notable figures. One example is Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who named his eldest son Baltazar after his patron, King Manuel I of Portugal. Additionally, a famous painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder depicts Balthasar, one of the Three Kings, holding an inscription that reads "BALTHASAR REX."
The name Baltazar has been used in various cultures and has evolved over time, but its core meaning remains constant. It is often associated with wisdom, leadership, and resilience due to its historical and biblical contexts. Despite its rich history, Baltazar retains a unique and distinctive character that sets it apart from other names.
The name Baltazar experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century, with a total of 2654 births recorded between 1915 and 2023. The name's peak occurred around the late 1980s to early 1990s, with years like 1987 (34 births), 1988-1989 (both 42 births), and 1990 (50 births) showing particularly high numbers. However, it has since declined in usage, with the most recent years (2020-2023) seeing fewer than 40 births each year.