Rosemary is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "rosmarinus," which means "dew of the sea." It is believed to have been coined by the ancient Greeks who were impressed by the Rosemary plant's ability to thrive in harsh coastal conditions.
The name Rosemary became popular during the Middle Ages when it was used as a symbol of remembrance due to its association with the Virgin Mary. The flower was often worn or given on religious holidays such as All Saints' Day and Easter, and its fragrance was said to ward off evil spirits.
In literature, Rosemary has been used as a character name by several notable authors including Shakespeare, who used it in his play "Love's Labour's Lost," and Emily Brontë, who named one of the characters in her novel "Wuthering Heights" after this fragrant herb. Today, Rosemary remains a popular choice for girls' names, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Despite its popularity, there are few people named Rosemary compared to other common names like Sarah or Emma. According to some sources, there were fewer than 10,000 individuals with the first name Rosemary living in the United States as of 2014. This may be due in part to the fact that many people associate the name with older generations, as it was particularly popular during the early-to-mid 20th century.
Overall, Rosemary is a unique and meaningful name with a rich history behind it. Its origins can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations who admired its hardiness and beauty. Today, those who bear this name carry on a tradition of strength and resilience that has been passed down through generations.
These statistics show a notable trend for the name Rosemary from the late 19th to the early 21st century. Initially, there was a slow and steady increase in births named Rosemary, starting from 9 births in 1882 and reaching a peak of 996 births in 1916 during World War I. However, after this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline significantly.
By the late 1940s, the number of babies named Rosemary had dropped below 4000 births per year and continued to decrease steadily throughout the mid to late 20th century. Between 1957 and 2003, the number of annual births named Rosemary hovered between approximately 200 to 400 births.
In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Rosemary, with over 800 births recorded each year since 2016. However, it remains significantly less popular than it was during its peak in the early 20th century. Overall, these statistics illustrate how the popularity of the name Rosemary has fluctuated over time but has generally declined since its height during World War I.