Fredonia is a unique and distinctive name with an interesting history. It originates from Latin roots, specifically "fredus," which means peaceful or happy, and "-onia," a suffix that denotes place or land. Thus, Fredonia literally translates to "land of peace" or "happy land." This name has been used for places, but it is more commonly found as a given name.
The use of Fredonia as a given name appears to have started in the United States during the mid-19th century. One notable figure associated with this name was Fredonia Maybelle Calhoun, who lived from 1847 to 1923. She was an American educator and civil rights activist known for her work in establishing schools for African Americans in the South.
Despite its Latin roots, Fredonia is not a traditional Latin name. Instead, it seems to have been coined as a given name within the United States, possibly influenced by other names with similar sounding components like Frederick or Feliciana.
Today, Fredonia remains a rare but unique choice for a given name. Its peaceful and happy connotations make it an appealing option for parents looking for something different yet meaningful.
The name Fredonia has had a variable popularity over the years in the United States. Looking at the statistics from 1889 to 2019, we can see that there have been periods where the name was more commonly used than others.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Fredonia fluctuated between 5 and 13 births per year. The highest peak during this period was in 1922 with 20 births.
However, after the 1920s, the name's popularity began to decline. From the 1930s to the 1960s, there were fewer than 10 births each year for Fredonia. The lowest point was in 1952 and 1953 with only 6 births per year.
Interestingly, there was a brief resurgence of the name in the 1970s with 7 births in 1970. However, this did not lead to a sustained increase in popularity.
Overall, the total number of babies named Fredonia in the United States from 1889 to 2019 was 407. While the name has had its moments of popularity over the years, it has never been among the most common names given to newborns.