Eliza is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "God is my salvation". It is derived from the Hebrew name Elizabeth, which was originally used to denote a woman who was favored by God.
The name Eliza has been in use for centuries, with some notable historical figures sharing this moniker. One famous Eliza was Eliza Doolittle, a character in George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion" and its musical adaptation "My Fair Lady". Another notable Eliza was Eliza Hamilton, the wife of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
In terms of popularity, Eliza has been a moderately popular name for girls in English-speaking countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it ranked as the 376th most popular name for girls born in the United States in 2020.
Overall, Eliza is a classic and timeless name with a strong biblical connection, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for a name that blends tradition with modernity.
The name Eliza has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two centuries in the United States. According to records from 1880 to 2023, there were a total of 65,849 births registered with the name Eliza during this period.
From 1880 to around the mid-1930s, the popularity of the name Eliza fluctuated but remained relatively stable, with an average of approximately 250 births per year. The highest number of Eliza births during this time was in 1888, with 343 babies named Eliza.
However, starting from the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, there was a notable decline in the popularity of the name Eliza, with fewer than 150 babies being named Eliza each year between 1962 and 1973.
Interestingly, beginning in the late 1970s, the name Eliza started to gain traction once again. In 1976, there were 198 births registered for girls named Eliza, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. This upward trend continued throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s.
In 1990, there was a substantial jump in the number of Eliza births, with 424 babies being given this name. This marked the beginning of a period of consistent growth for the popularity of the name Eliza, which continued throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s.
In recent years, Eliza has maintained its status as one of the more popular names for newborn girls in the United States. In 2021, there were 2481 babies named Eliza, marking a significant increase from the previous year's total of 1835 births.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Eliza has experienced ups and downs over time, it has consistently remained among the more popular choices for baby girls in the United States. With its strong history and recent resurgence in popularity, it is likely that Eliza will continue to be a beloved name for generations to come.