De is a name of unclear origin and uncertain meaning. Some sources suggest that it may have originated as a diminutive form of the Germanic name Theudebert, which means "people's bright fame." However, there is no definitive evidence to support this claim.
The name De first appears in historical records in England during the Middle Ages. It was a popular name among the nobility and was often used as a given name or a surname. Over time, the name has spread throughout Europe and beyond, but it remains relatively rare compared to other names.
There is not much history associated with the name De specifically, as it is not particularly well-documented in historical records. However, there are many notable people throughout history who have borne this name, including several saints and royals. For example, Saint De of Clermont was a French bishop who lived in the 6th century, while King Devanabodhi I was a monarch of the Sri Lankan Kingdom of Anuradhapura in the 7th century.
In modern times, the name De has gained some popularity as a unisex given name. It is often used as a short form of longer names such as Deborah or Deirdre. However, it is still relatively uncommon compared to other names.
Overall, the name De is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. Its origins and meaning are unclear, and its history is not particularly well-documented. Nevertheless, it remains a unique and distinctive name with a rich historical pedigree.
The name De has been given to babies of both sexes at varying frequencies since the early 20th century in the United States. Between 1918 and 2005, there were a total of 641 births recorded with this name.
Throughout the years, the number of births with the name De fluctuated significantly. The earliest records show that it was given to five babies each year between 1918 and 1925. However, from 1937 onwards, there was a notable increase in its popularity, reaching a peak in 1962 when 22 babies were named De.
After this peak, the number of births with this name decreased steadily until the late 1980s. It then remained relatively stable throughout the 1990s, with an average of around 13 births per year between 1990 and 1999. However, there was a notable spike in popularity in 1999 and 2000, with 19 babies named De each year.
Since then, the number of births with this name has continued to decline, with only five births recorded in both 2002 and 2005. Overall, while the name De has not been one of the most popular choices throughout history, it has nonetheless been given to a significant number of babies in the United States over the past century.