Genevieve is a feminine given name of French origin, derived from the Latin name "Genovefa." The name Genovefa is composed of two elements: "genos," which means "race" or "birth," and "evus," meaning "well-born" or "noble." Therefore, Genevieve can be interpreted as meaning "well-born race" or "noble birth."
The name Genevieve has a rich history and is associated with a renowned saint. Saint Genevieve was a Christian woman who lived in the 5th century during the time of the Roman Empire. She was born in Nanterre, France, and became known for her faith and miracles. According to legend, she predicted an attack on Paris by the Huns and organized the city's defenses. After the siege ended, Genevieve continued to serve as a beacon of hope for the people of Paris, and her intercession was believed to have saved the city from famine during the time of Attila the Hun.
The name Genevieve gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages due to the veneration of Saint Genevieve. The name was later adopted by other European countries, including England, where it became popular among nobility during the 17th century. Today, Genevieve is still used as a given name and can be found in various forms such as Jennifer, Jenna, or Genoveva.
In summary, the name Genevieve has French origins and means "well-born race" or "noble birth." It is associated with Saint Genevieve, whose faith and miracles have made her an important figure in Christian history. The name has been used for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for girls today.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Genevieve has seen a varying number of births in the United States over the years. The data spans from 1913 to 2016, offering an interesting glimpse into the popularity and frequency of this name.
Looking at the early decades of the 20th century, the name Genevieve was relatively popular among parents choosing names for their newborn daughters. Between 1913 and 1928, there were nine years with more than five births each year. The peak years during this period were 1914, 1918, and 1925, each with nine Genevieve births.
However, the popularity of the name began to wane in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with only five births recorded in each of those years. This trend continued for several decades, as there were no recorded births of girls named Genevieve from 1942 until 1983.
Interestingly, after a gap of nearly four decades, the name Genevieve started to reappear on birth records in the United States. There were seven births in 1989 and six in 2016, indicating that this once-popular name may have been experiencing a resurgence in popularity among parents.
Overall, while the name Genevieve has not been one of the most frequently chosen names for girls in the United States over the past century, it has maintained a consistent presence on birth records. With a total of 151 births recorded between 1913 and 2016, it is clear that many parents have found this name appealing for their daughters at various points in history.