Humbert is a name of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "Hunbert," which consists of two elements: "hun" meaning "bear" and "bert" meaning "bright." Therefore, Humbert can be translated as "bright as a bear."
The name Humbert has been used throughout history, with notable figures such as Humbert I, who was the Count of Savoy from 1003 to 1047. However, it is important to note that this name has not been widely used and may be considered somewhat rare today.
Humbert has also been associated with certain regions in Europe, particularly in France, where it has been used as a given name for centuries. In France, the name Humbert can be found among families of nobility, such as the House of Savoy, which ruled over territories in what is now southeastern France and northwestern Italy.
In literature, the name Humbert has gained some notoriety through Vladimir Nabokov's controversial novel "Lolita," published in 1955. The novel's protagonist, Humbert Humbert, is a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with a young girl named Dolores Haze, whom he refers to as Lolita. While the novel is considered a masterpiece of modern literature, it has also been criticized for its controversial subject matter.
Overall, Humbert is a name with a rich history and an interesting meaning, but one that may not be as commonly used today. It remains a unique choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the number of births with the name Humbert in the United States between 1900 and 1966.
From 1900 to 1929, there was a noticeable increase in the number of babies named Humbert. The highest peak during this period occurred in 1925 with 20 births, which is more than three times the number recorded in 1900 (7 births). This indicates that the name Humbert gained popularity and reached its zenith around the mid-1920s.
However, after 1929, there was a significant decline in the number of babies named Humbert. In fact, between 1930 and 1966, the annual births with this name fluctuated between 5 and 9, with only two exceptions: 12 births in 1931 and 8 births in 1936. This decrease suggests that the popularity of the name Humbert began to wane after the late 1920s.
In conclusion, while the name Humbert experienced a period of popularity between 1900 and 1929, it fell out of favor thereafter. Throughout these decades, there were a total of 431 babies named Humbert born in the United States. These statistics provide valuable insights into the trends and fluctuations in the naming practices related to this name during the specified timeframe.