Ethelmae is a unique and historic female given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English elements "æþel" meaning noble or elegant, and "mǣg" which signifies maggot or fly. The name Ethelmae was popular during the Middle Ages in England, often used among the nobility due to its prestigious connotation.
The earliest known record of the name Ethelmae is found in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this document, several instances of the name are listed, indicating that it was relatively common among the Anglo-Saxon elite during that time.
Throughout history, variations of the name Ethelmae have been used, such as Ethelmadge, Ethylmay, and Ethalmay. These variants reflect the phonetic evolution of the name over centuries and demonstrate its enduring popularity.
Today, Ethelmae is considered an antiquated name, often associated with historical contexts or literature set in medieval England. Despite its rarity in modern times, it retains a certain charm and uniqueness that may appeal to those seeking distinctive names for their children.
Ethelmae is a unique and historically significant name in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating throughout the early to mid-20th century. According to the statistics provided, Ethelmae's peak popularity occurred between 1915 and 1926, with the highest number of births occurring in 1920, totaling 23 newborn girls named Ethelmae.
The name saw a steady increase from just 5 births in 1908 to a high of 23 births in 1920. After this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline gradually, with a total of 14 births in 1922 and 17 births in 1924. This downward trend continued through the late 1920s and early 1930s, reaching as low as 5 births in both 1929 and 1941.
Overall, between 1908 and 1941, there were a total of 314 girls named Ethelmae born in the United States. This demonstrates that while Ethelmae was not an extremely common name during this time period, it was still chosen for a significant number of newborn girls across several decades.
It's fascinating to observe how naming trends have evolved over time, and these statistics provide insight into the popularity of the name Ethelmae in the United States during its heyday. Despite its decline in recent years, this historical data helps preserve the legacy of Ethelmae as a unique and once-popular choice for girls' names.