Calvary is a unique and distinctive name of Hebrew origin, derived from the word "Golgotha," which means "place of the skull." This name is deeply rooted in Christian history and theology, as it is believed to be the site where Jesus Christ was crucified according to the New Testament.
The name Calvary has been used as a given name, particularly among Christians, since the Middle Ages. It was not uncommon for people to be named after religious sites or events, and Calvary was one of those names that gained popularity over time.
In the 19th century, Calvary became more widely known outside of Christian communities due to its use as a given name in literature. For example, it appears as a character's name in works by Charles Dickens and George Eliot. This exposure helped to popularize the name and make it more accessible to people of different backgrounds.
Today, Calvary is still considered a religious name, but it has also become more secularized over time. It is not particularly common, which makes it distinctive and memorable. Despite its rarity, Calvary remains a powerful and meaningful name with deep historical and spiritual significance.
The name Calvary has seen a fluctuating popularity over the past few decades in the United States. The statistics show that there were five babies named Calvary in 1998. After a dip to four births in 2005, the number of babies named Calvary began to steadily increase. From 2013 onwards, the number of babies named Calvary has consistently been between six and ten each year.
The most recent data shows that there were ten babies named Calvary in 2023, indicating a growing trend in popularity for this name. Overall, from 1998 to 2023, there have been a total of 86 babies named Calvary born in the United States. It is interesting to note that the number of births has varied over the years, but there has been an upward trend in recent years. This suggests that the name Calvary may be gaining popularity among parents choosing names for their newborns. However, it remains a relatively uncommon name compared to more popular choices in the United States.