Liza is a popular name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is a short form of the name Elizabeth, which means "God is my oath" or "consecrated to God". The name Elizabeth has its roots in Hebrew and was borne by several notable figures throughout history, including Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Queen Elizabeth I of England.
The name Liza gained popularity during the Victorian era in England, when it became a fashionable nickname for girls named Elizabeth. It was also popularized by the character Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her parents with an axe in 1892. Although she was acquitted, the case became a notorious scandal that helped to further popularize the name Liza.
Today, Liza remains a popular name for girls and has been worn by several notable figures throughout history. Some famous Lizas include Liza Minnelli, an American actress and singer, and Liza Soberano, a Filipino-American actress. Despite its origins as a nickname for Elizabeth, Liza has become established as a standalone name in its own right. It is often associated with qualities such as charm, intelligence, and creativity.
These statistics show a significant increase in the number of births named Liza over time. The earliest data from 1880 shows only 18 births, but by the end of the century, this number had grown to 42 births in 1910. The trend continued into the 20th century, with a notable spike starting around 1957. Between 1957 and 1964, there was a more than tenfold increase, from 98 births to 287 births.
The peak of Liza births occurred in 1973 with 518 births. However, this number began to decline afterwards, dropping below 300 by the end of the 1970s. The trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with fewer than 265 Liza births recorded each year between 1989 and 2000.
Since 2000, there has been some fluctuation in the number of Liza births. The lowest point was in 2006 with only 103 births. However, the numbers have remained relatively stable, hovering around 100-150 births per year until recently, with a slight increase to 138 births in 2021 and 125 births in 2023.
Overall, while Liza was once a popular name for newborn girls, its popularity has declined significantly over time. However, it seems that the name may be experiencing a recent resurgence.