Aseneth is a unique and intriguing female given name of Hebrew origin. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient biblical times, appearing in the apocryphal Book of Aseneth as the title character's name.
The name Aseneth is derived from the Hebrew word "osenet," which means "heifer" or "young cow." In the context of the Book of Aseneth, it is believed that this name was chosen to symbolize fertility and abundance. The book tells the story of Aseneth, an Egyptian woman who marries Joseph, a Jewish patriarch, and converts to Judaism.
Throughout history, Aseneth has been associated with various cultural and religious significances. In some interpretations, she represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, as she chose to embrace her husband's religion despite the potential consequences. Others view her as a symbol of acceptance and tolerance, as she welcomed Joseph into her family and culture.
In terms of its usage throughout history, Aseneth was not a common name during biblical times but gained popularity in certain Jewish communities due to its biblical roots. Today, it is still quite uncommon as a given name, contributing to its unique and distinct nature.
Overall, the name Aseneth carries with it a rich history rooted in ancient Hebrew culture and religion. Its meaning symbolizes fertility, abundance, faith, loyalty, acceptance, and tolerance – all qualities that parents might hope their daughter embodies throughout her life.
The name Aseneth has seen varying levels of popularity over the past several decades in the United States. While it was quite rare throughout most of the late 20th century, with only six births recorded in 1948 and five in 1999, its usage began to increase gradually towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century.
In 2004, there were five recorded births with the name Aseneth, which rose to double digits by 2014 with twelve babies being named Aseneth that year. This trend continued into the following years, with eleven births in 2015 and eight in 2016.
The name Aseneth seemed to peak in popularity between 2017 and 2021, with ten births each year for both 2017 and 2018. However, there was a slight decrease in usage in the following years, with nine births in 2019 and seven in 2023.
Interestingly, there was another spike in popularity in 2022, with thirteen babies being named Aseneth that year. This could indicate a renewed interest in the name or potentially be attributed to other factors such as cultural influences or trends among parents' naming choices.
Overall, since 1948, there have been a total of 107 births recorded in the United States with the name Aseneth. It is important to note that these figures represent only a small fraction of the overall birth rates for each year and do not necessarily reflect trends in popular baby names as a whole. Nonetheless, they provide insight into the specific naming choices made by parents choosing the name Aseneth for their children over several decades.
Sources:
* Social Security Administration - Name Popularity Search