Cynthia is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "Kynthos," which means "from Mount Kynthos." Mount Kynthos was one of the mountains on the island of Delos, a small island in the Aegean Sea known for its association with the Greek goddess Artemis.
The name Cynthia gained popularity during the Roman Empire when it was used by several prominent figures. One notable example is Cynthia, who was the mistress of the Roman poet Propertius and inspired many of his love poems.
In terms of history, the name Cynthia has been used since ancient times but became more popular in the Middle Ages. Today, it continues to be a popular choice for girls' names around the world.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Cynthia experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. Initially, it saw steady growth from 61 births in 1880 to a peak of 432 births in 1927. The number of babies named Cynthia then began to decline steadily until reaching its lowest point in recent years, with only 306 births recorded in 2023.
There were notable peaks in popularity during specific decades:
- The 1950s: Over 25,000 births each year from 1950 to 1954.
- The 1960s: Peaking at over 39,000 births in 1957 but declining towards the end of the decade.
- The 1980s and early 1990s: Hovering around 4,000 births per year.
However, from the mid-1990s onwards, the popularity of the name Cynthia has continued to decrease significantly, falling below 1,000 births annually since 2006. As of 2023, it appears that the name is no longer among the top choices for new parents in many regions, with a total of only 306 births recorded so far this year.
In summary, while Cynthia was once a highly popular and fashionable name for newborn girls, its popularity has waned significantly over time, with fewer than 1,000 babies receiving the name annually since the mid-1990s.