Assunta is a feminine Italian given name derived from the Latin word 'assumpta', which means 'assumed'. The name has been traditionally used in Christian communities to honor the Virgin Mary, who was assumed into heaven according to Catholic belief.
The name Assunta first appeared in medieval Italy and was likely inspired by religious devotion. It gained popularity among Italian families and has since spread to other countries with significant Italian immigrant populations, such as the United States.
Assunta is considered a strong and dignified name that reflects its religious origins. It has been used consistently over centuries and remains popular today, particularly in Italy and other countries influenced by Italian culture and traditions. Despite its historical roots, Assunta is not exclusively associated with religion and can be chosen for its unique sound or cultural significance.
In literature and art, the name Assunta has appeared in various works, often reflecting its religious associations. For example, Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli wrote a sonnet titled "Assunta" that celebrates the Virgin Mary's assumption into heaven. Additionally, several notable figures have borne this name throughout history, such as Saint Assunta of Naples (d. 1530), who was a tertiary of the Dominican Order and is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Overall, Assunta is an ancient Italian given name with deep religious roots that continues to be celebrated today for its unique sound and cultural significance.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe trends and patterns of the name Assunta among newborns in the United States over several decades.
The earliest record available is from the year 1895 with just five births, indicating that it was relatively uncommon at the time. The numbers remained low but steady until a significant increase occurred between 1906 and 1908, with birth counts ranging from 11 to 17.
This trend continued through World War I, during which there were fluctuations in popularity but overall maintained an upward trajectory. The years immediately following the war saw a peak in births named Assunta, reaching as high as 52 in 1920.
However, this popularity was short-lived and started declining steadily over the next decade until it reached its lowest point since record keeping began - just eight births in 1936. This decline continued into the early 1940s but then showed signs of recovering slightly mid-decade.
Post-World War II era saw another period of growth, with birth counts ranging between five and ten throughout most years from 1951 onwards. There were periodic spikes in popularity though; notably, there were eighteen births named Assunta each year in both 1966 and again in 1970.
Despite this intermittent resurgence, the overall trend for the name Assunta has been one of steady decline over time. By the late twentieth century, fewer than ten girls per year on average were being given this name annually. In fact, between 1986 and 1995 inclusive, only two years (1992 with nine births and 1995 with six) saw more than five Assuntas born each year.
In conclusion, while the name Assunta has had its periods of popularity over time in the United States, these have been relatively brief episodes within an overall pattern of waning usage.