Imre is a Hungarian male given name. It is derived from the German name Emerich, which in turn is composed of the Old High German elements "ermen" meaning "home" or "protection", and "ric" meaning "power". Thus, Imre can be interpreted as "one who has protection through power".
The name Imre has a notable figure associated with it in Hungarian history. Imre Nagy was a Hungarian politician who served as Prime Minister of Hungary during the revolution against the Soviet Union in 1956. He was executed by the communist government in 1958, but his role in the revolution made him a national hero and a symbol of freedom for many Hungarians.
In Hungary, Imre is often considered an old-fashioned name due to its historical context. However, it has seen some revival in recent years as parents look for unique and meaningful names for their children.
Despite its origins and history, there are no specific celebrations or traditions associated with the name Imre. It is simply a name that carries a significant historical weight in Hungarian culture.
Statistics on the given name Imre in the United States reveal an interesting pattern over time.
From 1958 to 2023, there were a total of 175 babies named Imre born in the U.S. The popularity of this name has fluctuated significantly over these decades.
The highest number of births occurred in recent years, with 12 babies named Imre born in 2023 alone. This is the highest count since records began, indicating that Imre may be experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
Before this peak in recent years, the highest birth counts for Imre were seen between 1960 and 1964, with eight births each year in 1960 and 1963, and nine births in 1964. This suggests that Imre was once a popular choice but has since fallen out of favor before its recent revival.
It is important to note that the birth counts for Imre have been quite low for many years, with fewer than ten births annually from 1965 until 2007. However, since 2008, we have seen a steady increase in the number of babies named Imre each year, culminating in the highest count yet in 2023.
Overall, while Imre may not be one of the most popular names in the U.S., it has maintained a consistent presence over time. The recent uptick in popularity could indicate that this name is once again gaining favor among parents-to-be.