June is a name of English origin that is derived from the Latin word "junius," which means "young." The name June was traditionally used to denote the month of June in the Julian calendar, but it has since become popular as a given name for girls.
The name June gained popularity in the early 20th century and peaked in usage during the 1930s. It was often used alongside other nature-inspired names such as May, April, and Daisy. Despite its decline in popularity in recent years, June remains a beloved classic name that is still sometimes chosen by parents today.
One notable historical figure with the name June was June Allyson, an American actress who gained fame during Hollywood's Golden Age. Born Ella Geisman, she adopted the stage name June Allyson and went on to appear in numerous films throughout her career.
In literature, the name June is used in several works, including "June" by Robert E. Howard, a short story featuring his famous character Conan the Barbarian. Additionally, the novel "The Summer Book" by Finnish author Tove Jansson features a protagonist named June.
Overall, while June may not be as commonly used today as it once was, its origins and history make it a unique and meaningful name choice for parents looking to honor tradition or nature-inspired names.
Here are some observations based on the provided statistics:
- The name June had a significant increase in popularity from the late 1800s to around 1920.
- The peak years for the name June were between 1914 and 1923, with over 500 births each year during this period. The highest recorded year was 1923 with 6150 births.
- After reaching its peak in popularity around 1923, the number of babies named June gradually decreased over time. By the early to mid-1940s, the number of annual births named June fell below 1000.
- There was a brief resurgence in the popularity of the name June between the late 1970s and early 1980s, with around 250-300 births each year during this period. However, it never again reached the heights of the early 1900s.
- Since the mid-1990s, the name June has been relatively uncommon, with fewer than 150 births per year on average.
- As of 2023, the total number of babies named June since records began is 201,592.