Damaris is a unique and uncommon female given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "damarion," which means "to tame or subdue." The name Damaris has been used throughout history, with notable references in both biblical and literary contexts.
In the New Testament of the Bible, Damaris is mentioned as a woman who was converted to Christianity after hearing the preaching of Saint Paul at Mars Hill in Athens. This story can be found in Acts 17:34, where Damaris is described as being "a woman of noble birth" who believed in the message of Christ.
In literature, Damaris appears as a character in Jonathan Swift's novel "Gulliver's Travels." In this work, Damaris is a young woman from a remote island called Glubbdubdrib, where she serves as a translator for the inhabitants and their visitors. This fictional portrayal of Damaris contributes to the name's literary significance.
Damaris has also been used in various works of art and culture throughout history. For example, it appears as the title of a novel by Portuguese author José María de Eça de Queiroz, titled "The Maias: The Story of Two Friends," in which one of the main characters is named Damaso. Additionally, Damaris has been used as a stage name by American singer and songwriter Damaris Lewis.
Overall, the name Damaris carries a rich historical and cultural significance, with roots in ancient Greek language and literature, biblical references, and notable appearances in various works of art and culture throughout history. Its unique origin and uncommon usage make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter.
Based on the statistical data provided for the name Damaris in the United States from 1916 to 2023, we can observe several trends and patterns over time.
Firstly, it appears that the name Damaris was not particularly popular during the early to mid-20th century. From 1916 to 1954, the number of births with this name fluctuated between a low of 6 in some years to a high of 36 in 1955. During this period, the total number of Damaris births was relatively low.
However, starting from the late 1950s and continuing into the 1970s, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Damaris. Between 1958 and 1976, the annual number of births with this name rose consistently from 42 to 175. This trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, reaching a peak of 314 births in 1998.
Interestingly, between 1998 and 2006, there was another significant increase in the popularity of Damaris, with the number of births peaking at 483 in 2006. However, since then, there has been a decline in its popularity, with the annual number of births decreasing to 144 in 2022 and 135 in 2023.
In summary, Damaris was not widely used as a baby name during the early to mid-20th century but gained popularity from the late 1950s onwards. The peak of its popularity occurred around the late 1990s and early 2000s, after which there has been a decline in recent years. Throughout this period, a total of 12,426 births with the name Damaris were recorded in the United States from 1916 to 2023.