Georgia is a feminine given name of Greek origin and means "earth" or "land". It is derived from the Greek word 'gē' meaning earth and 'ia' meaning land. The name Georgia has been used throughout history, with notable figures such as Saint Georgia, a martyr from the 3rd century who was venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The name Georgia became popular during the Middle Ages in Europe, particularly among Christians who admired Saint Georgia's virtues of faith and courage. It was also a popular choice for royal families, with several queens and princesses throughout history being named Georgia.
In recent years, Georgia has experienced a resurgence in popularity as a given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it ranked among the top 1000 most popular names for girls in the United States during the early 2000s.
Overall, the name Georgia is steeped in history and carries with it a strong connection to the earth and nature. Its meaning of "land" or "earth" makes it a fitting choice for those who wish to honor the natural world or have a deep appreciation for the land around them.
The name Georgia experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable increase starting from around 1898. Between 1880 and 1900, the number of annual births named Georgia ranged between 259 and 765. However, by 1910, this number had nearly doubled to 1010 births. The years 1917 to 1923 saw a peak in popularity, with over 2300 births each year named Georgia.
After the mid-1920s, there was a steady decline in the usage of the name, reaching its lowest point in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with fewer than 400 births per year. The name began to regain popularity in the late 1980s and 1990s, with numbers increasing steadily until a significant spike occurred around 2005.
From 2005 onwards, the name Georgia has consistently ranked among the top 500 most popular girl names in the United States. Between 2005 and 2023, there were over 161,000 babies named Georgia, with 2023 seeing an all-time high of 2157 births given the name.