Adrienne is a female given name of French origin. It is derived from the Latin word "Hadrianus," which means "from Hadria" or "of Adriatic descent." The name Hadrianus was originally used to describe someone who came from the city of Hadria, located in present-day Italy.
The name Adrienne gained popularity during the Middle Ages in France. It was often given to girls born into wealthy families or with connections to nobility. Over time, the name spread beyond France and became popular in other European countries as well.
Adrienne has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous was Adrienne Lecouvreur (1692-1730), a French actress known for her talent and beauty. She was a member of the Comédie-Française, an prestigious theater company in Paris, and is considered one of the greatest tragic actresses of her time.
Another notable figure bearing the name Adrienne was Adrienne Rich (1929-2012), an American poet and essayist. She was known for her feminist activism and her exploration of lesbian identity in her poetry. Rich won numerous awards throughout her career, including the National Book Award and a MacArthur Fellowship.
While Adrienne is not as commonly used today compared to its peak popularity during the 19th century, it remains a unique and elegant name option for parents looking for something with French roots and historical significance.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends related to the number of babies named Adrienna born each year in the United States between 1960 and 2019.
Firstly, the popularity of the name has fluctuated significantly over time. The highest number of births recorded was in 1989 with 46 births, while the lowest was in 1978 with only 6 births. This indicates that the name's popularity has gone through periods of high and low demand among parents.
Secondly, we can observe a general trend towards decreased popularity over time. After reaching its peak in 1989, the number of babies named Adrienna born each year has consistently declined. From 1990 onwards, the annual birth count has mostly been below 30, with some years seeing as few as single-digit numbers (e.g., 6 births in 2014). This suggests that while once popular, the name Adrienna is now relatively uncommon.
However, it's important to note that even at its peak, the number of babies named Adrienna born in a single year was still quite low compared to more common names. The highest recorded figure, 46 births in 1989, represents less than 0.2% of all births that year.
In terms of total births over this period, there were 796 babies named Adrienna between 1960 and 2019. This indicates that while the name may not have been very popular in recent years, it has still been chosen for a significant number of children born over the past six decades.
Overall, these statistics tell us about trends in naming practices among parents in the United States, showing how popularity can vary greatly over time and that even less common names like Adrienna can still be used for a substantial number of babies.