Ascension is a unique and distinctive given name with a rich history and intriguing origins. Derived from the Latin word "ascensio," which means "ascent" or "rising," this name has been associated with spiritual and celestial themes for centuries.
The name Ascension first appeared in Spain, where it was traditionally given to children born around the time of the Feast of the Ascension, a Christian holiday celebrating the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. This occurred 40 days after Easter, according to biblical accounts. As a result, the name has been predominantly used within Spanish-speaking communities and has become quite rare in other cultures.
One notable historical figure with the name Ascencion is Ascension Dorotea, a Spanish mystic and stigmatic who lived during the 17th century. She was renowned for her visions of Jesus Christ and her ecstatic experiences, which further cemented the spiritual connotations associated with this name.
In some cases, Ascension may also be used as a surname, particularly in areas where it has been passed down through generations or adopted by families who wish to honor their Spanish heritage. However, its usage remains overwhelmingly as a given name, often given to girls but not exclusively so.
Despite its rarity outside of Spain and Latin America, the name Ascension continues to evoke images of spirituality, elevation, and divine ascension. It is a name that carries with it a sense of history and tradition, making it an excellent choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their child.
The name Ascencion has been given to a total of 546 babies born in the United States between the years 1916 and 2017, according to the Social Security Administration's data on popular baby names.
From 1916 to 1935, there were relatively few births with the name Ascencion, ranging from 5 to 14 per year. The name seemed to gain some popularity in the late 1920s and early 1930s, with a peak of 14 births in 1926.
In the following decades, particularly from the 1940s to the 1970s, there was a steady stream of babies named Ascencion each year, ranging from 5 to 13 births per year. This period saw the highest numbers of newborns given this name in the United States.
From the 1980s onwards, the popularity of the name Ascencion began to decline. Between 1982 and 2004, there were fewer than 10 babies named Ascencion each year, with some years seeing only 5 births.
In recent years, from 2006 to 2017, there have been a few more births with the name Ascencion, with 5 or 6 babies being named Ascencion in several of these years. Overall, the name Ascencion has seen fluctuations in popularity over the past century, but it remains a unique and uncommon choice for a baby's name in the United States.
It is important to note that while the data shows trends in the number of births with the name Ascencion, it does not provide information on the reasons behind these trends or the factors influencing parents' decisions when choosing a name for their child. Additionally, the data only includes births registered with Social Security, which may not be exhaustive and could underrepresent certain populations.
Sources:
* Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names in the United States (1916-2017)