Ermine is of French origin and translates to 'dormouse' in English. This unusual given name was once popular among French nobility, but has since become quite rare. It is often associated with the luxurious ermine fur, a soft white winter coat found on weasels. In literature, it appears as the surname of an important character in Victor Hugo's classic novel, "Les Misérables". The name Ermine is also used for tinctures or markings in heraldry, typically depicted as a band or bend of pure white fur across the center of the shield. However, beyond these associations and its historical use among French aristocracy, there isn't much documented about this name.
The name Ermine appears to have been popular among parents from 1906 to around the 1950s, with several spikes in popularity during this period. However, it's important to note that these statistics only show years with at least five births named Ermine. It's possible that there were more years with fewer than five Ermine births. The overall total of 67 births over this span suggests a consistent but not overwhelming preference for the name.