Gigi is a name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "Aegidius," which means "guardian" or "protector." It is a shortened form of the name Aegidius, and it has been used historically as both a masculine and feminine given name.
The name Gigi gained popularity in France during the 19th century, thanks in part to French writer Colette's novel "Gigi," which was later adapted into a successful play by Jean Louis Barrault. The story follows a young girl named Gigi who is trained to become a courtesan but ultimately rejects that life and chooses to marry for love instead.
In the United States, the name Gigi became popularized in the 1950s when it was used by French fashion designer Coco Chanel's goddaughter, Gilberte Jacquet. Chanel famously referred to her goddaughter as "Gigi," which helped to popularize the name among English-speaking audiences.
Today, Gigi remains a relatively uncommon but still recognizable name in many parts of the world. It is often associated with its French roots and the elegance and sophistication that those roots imply. Despite its historical use as both a masculine and feminine given name, Gigi is now more commonly used as a feminine name.
The name Gigi has seen a fascinating journey in terms of popularity over the decades in the United States. Between 1940 and 2023, there have been a total of 4340 babies named Gigi.
The name's popularity peaked in recent years, with 94 births in 2022 and 82 births in 2021. This could indicate that the name is currently trending among parents, potentially influenced by pop culture references or personal preferences for unique yet timeless names.
However, Gigi's popularity has not always been consistent. Between 1940 and 1973, the number of babies named Gigi remained relatively low, with fewer than 50 births per year on average. The name first began to gain traction in the late 1950s, with a significant increase in popularity between 1958 (124 births) and 1961 (271 births).
After peaking in 1963 with 206 births, the popularity of the name Gigi began to decline. This trend continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with fewer than 50 babies named Gigi each year between 1974 and 1989.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the name experienced a resurgence in popularity, with more than 20 births per year every year from 1990 to 2005. This period also saw some notable peaks in popularity, such as 69 births in 2016.
It's interesting to note that despite fluctuations in popularity, the name Gigi has consistently remained present in the United States for nearly a century. This longevity is a testament to its enduring appeal and timelessness among parents seeking unique yet memorable names for their children.