Fortune is a unique and distinct given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "fortuna," which translates to "luck" or "good fortune." This name has been associated with luck, prosperity, and happiness throughout history.
The use of Fortune as a given name began in the Middle Ages in Europe. It was often given to children in the hope that they would grow up to be lucky and successful. The name was also popular among royalty and nobility, with several historical figures bearing this name, such as Fortune of Arles, a 9th-century countess.
In literature, Fortune has been used as a character name in works by authors like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare. In Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," one of the pilgrims is named Sir Thopas, whose sister is named Fortune. In Shakespeare's play "All's Well That Ends Well," the Countess of Roussillon has a son named Fortunate.
Today, Fortune remains a rare but meaningful name choice. It is often given to children as a way to wish them luck and prosperity in life. Despite its rarity, Fortune continues to be associated with positivity, good fortune, and happiness.
Here are some interesting statistics about the given name Fortune in the United States:
The name Fortune has seen varying popularity over the years. The first recorded birth was in 1916 with five babies named Fortune, followed by a peak of six births in 1922.
After a gap of several decades, the name started to regain some traction from the late 1950s onwards. There were five births in 1957, which increased to seven in 1960 and six in 1975.
The 1980s saw a more consistent presence of Fortune on birth certificates, with numbers ranging from five to eight per year. This trend continued into the early 1990s, with six births recorded annually between 1991 and 1992.
The new millennium brought about an increase in popularity for the name Fortune. There were nine births in 1999, peaking at twelve births in 2012. Since then, the number of annual births with the name Fortune has fluctuated but remained relatively high compared to previous decades.
In recent years, there have been between nine and fifteen births per year, with peaks in 2017 (fifteen births) and 2020 (fifteen births). The most recent data shows that there were thirteen births in both 2022 and 2023.
In total, since the first recorded birth in 1916 up until 2023, there have been 304 babies named Fortune born in the United States. This statistic demonstrates that while Fortune may not be one of the most popular names, it has maintained a consistent presence throughout history and has experienced periods of increased popularity in recent decades.