Roosevelt is a masculine given name of American origin, derived from the Dutch surname Roosevelt, which means "from Roselaar". The surname is believed to have originated in the Netherlands and was brought to America by early Dutch settlers.
The name Roosevelt has gained significant popularity and recognition due to its association with one of the most prominent political families in American history. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the 26th President of the United States, was born with the given name Theodore but was known throughout his life as "Teedy" or "T.R." His family nickname was Roosevelt, which became widely used and eventually supplanted his given name.
Theodore Roosevelt Sr., the father of the former president, was also named Theodore but went by the name Roosevelt. He was a businessman and philanthropist who founded the Roosevelt Steamship Company in 1867. The name Roosevelt has since become synonymous with the political legacy of the Roosevelt family, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States.
In addition to its association with the Roosevelt family, the name has also been used by other notable individuals throughout history. For example, the former US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, James A. Baker III, was born with the given name James but went by the name Roosevelt due to his admiration for Theodore Roosevelt.
Overall, the name Roosevelt is deeply rooted in American history and politics, and its meaning and origins reflect its Dutch roots. Despite its association with one particular family, the name has been used by individuals from diverse backgrounds and continues to be a popular choice among parents today.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Roosevelt has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States.
The earliest data point is from 1895 with 12 births that year. The number of births increased steadily until reaching a peak in 1932 with 832 births. This could be attributed to the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, who served from 1901 to 1909 and was very popular during his time.
However, after 1932, the popularity of the name Roosevelt began to decline rapidly. By 1940, there were only 635 births, a significant drop from the peak just eight years prior. This trend continued throughout the mid-20th century, with fewer than 500 births per year on average between 1950 and 1970.
The latter half of the 20th century saw even further decline in the popularity of the name Roosevelt. From 1970 to 2020, there were fewer than 300 births per year on average. The most recent data point from 2021 shows only 27 births.
In total, over the span of 1895 to 2022, there have been 37610 Roosevelt births in the United States. Despite its historic popularity, it seems that the name Roosevelt has become quite rare today.