Hilary is a female given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman clan gens Hirria. It is believed to have been borne by several early members of this family, including Hilarius, who was a fifth-century bishop of Arles in Gaul (now France).
The name Hilary has several meanings depending on its translation. One common interpretation is that it means "cheerful" or "happy," which may be derived from the Latin word "hilarious," meaning joyous or light-hearted. However, other sources suggest that the name could also mean "from the woods" or "dweller in the woods," possibly due to its association with the Roman clan gens Hirria.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Hilary. One of the most famous is Saint Hilary of Poitiers, a fourth-century theologian and bishop who was revered for his steadfast defense of Christianity against Arianism. His feast day is celebrated on January 13th by the Catholic Church.
In literature, Hilary was the given name of an important character in Charlotte Brontë's classic novel "Jane Eyre." The character, Hilary Rivers, is the first husband of Jane's employer and benefactor, Edward Rochester.
Today, Hilary continues to be a popular choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful name for their daughters. While it may not be as widely used as some other names, its Latin origins and historical significance make it an appealing option for those looking for something a bit more uncommon.
Based on the provided statistics, we can analyze the trend of the name Hilari over several decades in the United States.
Starting from 1969, there were consistently around six births per year with the name Hilari until 1973 when it dropped to five. However, from 1974 onwards, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Hilari each year. The highest point was reached in 1978 and 1979 with fifteen births each year.
This trend continued into the 1980s but with a slight decline, ranging between six to nine births per year from 1980 to 1984. There was another peak in 1990 and 1991 with ten and thirteen births respectively, followed by fourteen births in 1992.
After 1992, the number of babies named Hilari began to decrease significantly, reaching as low as six births in 1994. There was another small peak in 1999 with seven births, but the trend continued to decline into the 2000s with five births each in 2005 and 2007. The most recent data available shows a slight increase in 2008 with seven births.
In total, there were 226 babies named Hilari born in the United States from 1969 to 2008 according to these statistics. Despite some fluctuations over the years, it is clear that the name Hilari has been used consistently but not excessively throughout this period.