Constance is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "constans", which means "constant" or "steadfast". The name has been used throughout history and has been popular in several countries.
The name Constance first appeared in the early Middle Ages, where it was used as a female form of the male name Constantius. It gained popularity during the Crusades when many knights were named after the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX, who ruled from 1042 to 1055.
Constance was also popular among royalty throughout history. One notable example is Constance of Aragon (1246-1302), who married King Peter III of Aragon and played a significant role in the War of the Sicilian Vespers.
In literature, the name Constance has been used in several works, including Shakespeare's "King John" and Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre". The name was also popularized by French writer Honoré de Balzac's novel "Père Goriot", where it is the name of one of the main characters.
Throughout history, the name Constance has been associated with strength, steadfastness, and resilience. It has been used to represent women who are constant in their beliefs and unwavering in their commitments. Today, the name remains popular in several countries around the world and continues to be a beloved choice for parents seeking a strong and meaningful name for their daughters.
In conclusion, Constance is a Latin-derived given name with a rich history and significant meaning. Its popularity throughout history has made it a timeless choice for girls' names, with a proven track record of strength and resilience.
The name Constance has been given to a total of 139,701 babies born in the United States over the years, according to available statistics. While it started off with relatively few births annually in the late 1800s, reaching its peak popularity around the early 1920s, the name has maintained consistent usage throughout history.
Between 1880 and 1923, there was a steady increase in the number of babies named Constance each year. The most notable spikes occurred in 1914 with 600 births, followed by 728 births in 1915, 811 births in 1916, and peaking at 1,377 births in 1920.
However, after reaching its peak in the early 1920s, the popularity of the name Constance began to decline. From 1924 onwards, there was a noticeable decrease in the number of babies named Constance each year. By the mid-1950s, fewer than 1,000 babies were being named Constance annually.
The trend continued into the late 20th century and early 21st century, with the number of annual births for the name Constance reaching as low as 83 in 1976. However, there has been a slight resurgence in recent years, with the number of babies named Constance rising back up to around 100-150 births per year since 2014.
Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Constance has maintained a consistent presence among American baby names throughout history. As of 2023, there have been a total of 139,701 babies named Constance born in the United States.