Claudine is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the male name Claudius. The name Claudius is believed to have originated from the Roman gens Claudia, an ancient patrician family that traced its lineage back to the mythical Sabine king Attus Clausus.
The meaning of Claudine can vary depending on the source, but it is often associated with several possible interpretations:
1. Lame or limping: This interpretation comes from the Latin word "claudus," which means lame or having a limp.
2. Enclosed or surrounded: Another possible meaning is derived from the Latin word "claudo," which means to shut or enclose, suggesting someone who is protected or surrounded.
3. Celebrated or famous: A less common interpretation ties Claudine to the Latin word "claro," meaning bright or famous.
The name Claudius gained popularity during the Roman Empire, particularly with the reign of Emperor Claudius (10 BC-54 AD). As a result, many historical figures throughout history have borne the name Claudius. However, it was not until the 20th century that Claudine began to be used as a feminine given name.
In literature and popular culture, some notable characters named Claudine include:
* Claudine de Cernay, a character in "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas
* Claudine, the main character in "Claudine at School" (1900) and other novels by Colette
Overall, the name Claudine is of Latin origin with various possible meanings. While it has historical significance through its association with the Roman gens Claudia, its use as a feminine given name is more recent and gained popularity in the 20th century.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends regarding the number of births given the name Claudine in the United States over time.
From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, the annual births with the name Claudine ranged from a low of 5 to a high of 178. The highest peaks during this period occurred around the years 1915 to 1924, with over 150 births each year.
However, starting in the late 1920s and early 1930s, we see a significant decrease in the number of babies named Claudine. This trend continues throughout most of the mid-20th century, with annual births dropping as low as 7 by the late 1940s.
The lowest point in the statistics is reached around the year 2006, with only 7 births being registered for that year. This marked a significant shift from previous decades where the number of newborn girls named Claudine was still relatively common.
Since then, the popularity of the name has continued to decline, with fewer than 15 births per year since 2000. The most recent data available (2021) shows that there were only 7 babies named Claudine born in the United States that year.
In total, over the time period covered by these statistics (from 1880 to 2021), there have been a cumulative 11,314 births registered with the name Claudine in the United States. While once a popular choice for parents, it appears that the name has fallen out of favor in recent decades.