The name Niger is of African origin, specifically from the West African country Niger. It is derived from the name of the country itself, which was named after the Niger River that flows through it.
The Niger River is one of the longest rivers in Africa and its name has several possible origins. One theory suggests that the river was named by Arab traders who called it "Al-Jihaz," meaning "the boats" or "the fleet." Another theory proposes that the name comes from the Berber word "egerew n-igerren," which means "river of rivers."
The name Niger has been used as a given name in African countries for centuries, but its use became more widespread internationally after the independence of the country Niger in 1960. Today, it is recognized as an international given name and can be found among people of various ethnicities and nationalities.
In some cultures, the name Niger may have significant meaning or symbolism related to its association with the river and the country. However, there is no universally agreed upon meaning or symbolism associated with the name Niger as a given name.
Overall, the name Niger has a rich historical and geographical context that makes it unique among African names. Its origin and significance are rooted in the history and culture of West Africa, but its use as a given name has expanded beyond these boundaries to become a global name recognized by people all over the world.
The statistics provided show a pattern of the number of babies named Niger born in the United States each year between 1976 and 1984. In 1976, there were 9 births with this name, which was also the case in 1977. The next year for which data is available is 1984, when there were 7 births of babies named Niger.
Overall, between 1976 and 1984, a total of 25 babies were given the name Niger at birth in the United States.