Bibiana is a unique and distinctive feminine given name of Latin origin. Derived from the Late Latin word "bibus," which means "twig" or "branched," Bibiana has historical significance as it was borne by several early Christian saints.
The earliest known saint named Bibiana was Saint Bibiana of Rome, who lived in the 4th century during the Roman Empire. According to legend, she was a noblewoman who devoted her life to serving God and performing acts of charity. Despite her noble background, she chose to live a humble life and distribute her fortune among the poor. When her parents died, Bibiana distributed their property among the needy, which ultimately led to her persecution by the Roman authorities due to her Christian faith.
Bibiana was eventually arrested and imprisoned during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate in 362 AD. She remained steadfast in her faith despite being tortured and subjected to various forms of cruelty. According to the legend, Bibiana miraculously survived these ordeals without injury. After enduring years of persecution, she was ultimately beheaded on December 2nd, 363 AD.
Following her martyrdom, Saint Bibiana's cult gained popularity throughout Europe, particularly in France and Italy. Her feast day is celebrated on December 2nd in the Roman Catholic Church, and she is considered the patron saint of hangovers, a reference to the legend that anyone who invoked her name while suffering from a hangover would be cured.
In addition to Saint Bibiana of Rome, there were other saints with the same name, such as Saint Bibiana of Mantua, who lived in the 5th century and was known for her devotion to God and acts of charity. These saintly figures have contributed to the enduring popularity of the name Bibiana throughout history.
In summary, the name Bibiana is of Latin origin and has a strong historical connection to early Christian saints, particularly Saint Bibiana of Rome. Despite its unique sound and uncommon usage today, Bibiana's rich history and association with revered figures make it a noteworthy choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their daughters.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Bibiana has seen a varied degree of popularity over the years in the United States.
From 1920 to 1987, there were consistently fewer than 20 births per year with the name Bibiana. The numbers fluctuated between 5 and 13 births annually during this period.
However, starting from 1987, we begin to see a significant increase in the number of babies named Bibiana. In that year alone, there were 20 births, which more than doubled the previous highest recorded number for any given year since 1920.
This trend continued into the 1990s, with the numbers reaching an all-time high of 56 births in 1999. This could suggest that during this time, the name Bibiana gained significant popularity among parents.
Despite a slight dip following the turn of the century (with numbers ranging between 20 and 49 from 2000 to 2007), Bibiana remained relatively popular throughout the 2000s. This is indicated by the fact that there were more than 20 births with this name every year during this period.
From 2008 onwards, the popularity of the name Bibiana appears to have stabilized at around 20-30 births per year. Even amidst recent fluctuations (with numbers dropping as low as 15 in certain years), the name remains reasonably popular among parents today.
In total, there were 1436 births with the name Bibiana recorded in the United States since 1920 up until 2023, reflecting its enduring popularity over time.