Sostenes is of Latin origin, derived from the word 'sostentare', which means 'to support' or 'to sustain'. It was a common name among ancient Romans and was often given to slaves who were freed by their masters, as it reflected the idea that they were now able to support themselves. The name Sostenes was also used in medieval Spain, particularly in areas under Moorish influence, where it was likely adopted due to its similarity to Arabic names. In some cases, Sostenes has been associated with the Latin name 'Sosthenes', which means 'strong' or 'steadfast'. However, these two names are distinct and have separate origins.
The name Sostenes experienced a significant peak in popularity during the early 20th century, with notable spikes in the years 1924 (9 births), 1929 (10 births), and 1936-1937 (6 births each year). However, it's interesting to observe that after a steady decline in usage throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, the name saw a slight resurgence towards the end of the century, with consistent occurrences from 1981 onwards. Overall, there were a total of 122 births with the name Sostenes recorded across these years.