Cleopatra is a name of Egyptian origin, meaning "glory of her father" in ancient Egyptian language. It was popularized by the famous Cleopatra VII Philopator, also known as Cleopatra the Great, who ruled Egypt from 51 to 30 BCE.
The name Cleopatra has been used throughout history and has been associated with various notable figures aside from Cleopatra VII. For instance, there was Cleopatra of Thrace, a princess who lived in the 4th century BCE, and Saint Cleopatra, an early Christian martyr whose feast day is celebrated on October 25th.
The name Cleopatra has also been used in popular culture, appearing in various books, movies, and television shows. One notable example is the 1963 film "Cleopatra" starring Elizabeth Taylor as the titular character. The name Cleopatra has also inspired several works of art, including paintings and sculptures throughout history.
Overall, Cleopatra is a unique and historic name with a rich cultural heritage dating back to ancient Egypt. Its meaning, "glory of her father," reflects the strong connection between the name's bearer and their family lineage. Despite its origins being rooted in ancient times, the name Cleopatra remains popular today and continues to be associated with power, elegance, and intrigue.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Cleopatra in the United States from 1889 to 2023. Over this period, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of this unique and distinctive name.
From 1889 to around 1970, the number of babies named Cleopatra remained relatively low, with fewer than 15 births per year on average. However, starting from the late 1960s, there was a notable increase in the popularity of this name. In 1973, the number of newborn girls named Cleopatra jumped to 35, marking the beginning of a consistent rise in its usage.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the popularity of Cleopatra continued to grow steadily, with more than 20 births each year during these decades. The peak of this trend occurred in the mid-1990s, with over 34 babies named Cleopatra in both 1997 and 1999.
After reaching its peak popularity, the name Cleopatra saw a slight decline in usage throughout the early 2000s. However, since around 2016, there has been another resurgence of this unique name, with over 35 births per year recorded in recent years. In fact, the most recent data from 2022 shows that there were 50 newborn girls named Cleopatra in the United States.
In conclusion, while Cleopatra may have started as a relatively uncommon name, its popularity has grown significantly over time, especially since the late 1960s. Today, it remains a distinctive and memorable choice for parents seeking a unique name for their daughters.