Nazaire is a masculine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Roman family name Nazarius, which was derived from the word "nazarus," meaning "from Nazareth." This name has been used throughout history as a tribute to Jesus Christ and his hometown of Nazareth.
The first recorded use of the name Nazaire can be traced back to the 3rd century AD in France. Saint Nazaire was a Christian martyr who was killed during the Roman persecution of Christians. His feast day is celebrated on December 28th, and he is revered as the patron saint of sailors and travelers.
Over time, the name Nazaire has been used in various forms throughout Europe, including Nazario in Italy and Nazário in Portugal. In some cases, it has also been used as a surname.
In literature, one notable figure named Nazaire was a character in Honoré de Balzac's novel "Père Goriot." However, the name does not appear to have been particularly popular throughout history, with only a few historical figures sharing this name.
Today, Nazaire remains a relatively uncommon given name. It is more commonly used in France and other French-speaking countries than elsewhere in the world. Despite its rarity, however, the name Nazaire carries with it a rich history and significant cultural associations.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Nazaire in the United States from 1997 to 2023:
* The number of births with this name has varied over time.
* Between 1997 and 2008, there were consistently fewer than 10 births per year, with some years seeing as few as five births.
* Starting in 2009, the number of births began to increase steadily. From 2009 to 2023, there were at least eight births each year, with peaks in recent years:
+ 16 births in 2018
+ 13 births in both 2017 and 2020
+ 12 births in four separate years (2015, 2016, 2019, and 2022)
* Despite fluctuations, the name Nazaire has gained popularity over time. From an average of around five births per year between 1997 and 2008, it has grown to an average of nearly 12 births per year from 2009 to 2023.
* In total, there were 201 births with the name Nazaire in the United States between 1997 and 2023.