Beverley is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "beoforléah," which means "beaver meadow" or "clearing by the beaver stream." The name was originally used to describe places rather than people, and it became popular as a place name in England during the Middle Ages.
The town of Beverley in East Yorkshire, England, is one of the most well-known locations named after this Old English word. It is believed that the town's name originated from its location near a beaver dam on a river called the Headder. The beavers in this area played an important role in shaping the landscape and providing food for local residents.
Despite its historical association with places, Beverley has also been used as a female given name since medieval times. It is thought that the name may have been chosen by parents who wanted to give their daughters a strong, earthy, and nature-inspired name. However, it is important to note that Beverley is not one of the most popular feminine names in English-speaking countries today.
In literature, Beverley has appeared as a character's name in several works, including George Eliot's novel "Middlemarch" and Henry James' short story "The Beast in the Jungle." In popular culture, some well-known individuals with the first name Beverley include Australian actress Beverley Garland and American singer-songwriter Beverley Craven.
Overall, Beverley is a unique and historic feminine given name with strong ties to nature and the English landscape. While it may not be widely used today, its origins and meaning make it an interesting choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter.
The given statistics present an interesting trend regarding the number of babies named Beverley born annually in the United States over a span of more than a century. From just six births each year between 1912 and 1915, there was a significant increase to 25 births in 1915. This upward trajectory continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, reaching its peak in 1928 with 321 babies named Beverley.
This high point was maintained through the late 1930s and early 1940s, with annual births fluctuating between approximately 350 to 400. However, beginning in the mid-1940s, there was a steady decline in the number of babies named Beverley, dropping below 200 births per year by 1950.
This downward trend persisted into the 1960s and 1970s, with fewer than 70 babies named Beverley born annually during these decades. The 1980s saw a brief resurgence in popularity, but this was short-lived as births dropped again below 20 per year from the early 1990s onwards.
Despite the decline in recent years, it's fascinating to note that there have still been babies named Beverley born annually since at least 2003. The total number of babies named Beverley born in the United States over this period is an impressive 13,042. This demonstrates the enduring appeal and timelessness of this name, even if its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time.