Genevieve is a feminine given name of French origin and meaning. The name is derived from the Germanic elements "genos" which means "race" or "kind," and "lewisa" which means "pledge" or "warrior." Therefore, Genevieve can be interpreted as "warrior race" or "noble pledge."
The name Genevieve has a long history dating back to medieval France. It was the name of Saint Geneviève (c. 420-512 AD), who was a pagan peasant girl raised in Nanterre, near Paris. According to legend, she had visions and performed miracles as a child, leading her to convert to Christianity at an early age. She became known for her piety and generosity, eventually becoming the patron saint of Paris.
In France, Genevieve was popularized during the Middle Ages due to the veneration of Saint Geneviève. The name gained further popularity in other European countries through the spread of French culture and language. Today, Genevieve is still used as a given name for girls, particularly in France, Canada, and English-speaking countries.
In some cases, Genevieve may be spelled with one "e" (as Genevieve) or two "e"s (Geneviève). The latter spelling is more common in French-speaking countries. Both spellings are considered acceptable and reflect the name's French origins.
Overall, Genevieve is a historic and elegant name with roots in medieval France and a strong association with saintliness and virtue. Its meaning as "warrior race" or "noble pledge" adds to its appeal for parents seeking a name with depth and significance.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Geneieve has had a varied history of usage in the United States over the past century. The peak years for this name appear to be during the early 20th century, with the highest number of births recorded in 1918 at 15 births.
However, after this peak, the usage of the name Geneieve began to decline significantly. Between 1926 and 1946, there were only two years (1924 and 1925) where more than five babies were named Geneieve. After 1946, the number of births with this name fluctuated between five and seven per year until 1970.
From 1970 onwards, the usage of the name Geneieve continued to decline, with only one or two years (1974 and 2000) where more than five babies were named Geneieve. The most recent data from 2012 shows that there were still five births with this name in the United States.
In total, over the period covered by these statistics, there have been 292 births of girls named Geneieve in the United States. While this name may not be as popular today as it was a century ago, it is clear that it has remained a part of American naming traditions throughout this time.