April is a name of Latin origin that means "to open" or "to disclose". It is derived from the Latin word "aperire", which means "to open" or "to reveal". The name April is also associated with the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, which is named after the Latin word "aperire" and was first used by the Roman poet Ovid.
The use of the name April can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was used as a feminine given name. However, its popularity as a given name did not become widespread until the 19th century. In English-speaking countries, the name April began to gain popularity in the early 20th century and peaked in the 1950s.
Today, April is still a popular given name for girls around the world. It has also been used as a surname in some cases. While it is often associated with the month of April, its meaning and origin are not directly related to the month itself. Instead, the name April carries a deeper significance rooted in Latin language and Roman culture.
In literature and popular culture, the name April has been featured prominently in various works, such as "April is the Cruellest Month" by T.S. Eliot and the novel "April's Rainbow" by Madeleine L'Engle. This further contributes to its familiarity and recognition among many people today.
The name Avril experienced fluctuations in popularity over the past century. From 1919 to 1978, it was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 26 births per year. However, starting from 1979, its popularity began to rise significantly, peaking at 269 births in 2003 and 2004. Since then, the name's popularity has fluctuated but remained high, with an average of around 120 births per year between 2005 and 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 3263 births named Avril in the last century.