Devota is a name of Latin origin that means "devoted". It comes from the Latin word 'devotus', which translates to dedicated or devoted. The name has been used throughout history and was popularized by early Christian saints.
The earliest known saint with this name is Saint Devota, who lived in the 5th century on the island of Corsica. She was a noblewoman who became a nun and dedicated her life to serving God. She was eventually martyred for her faith during a persecution of Christians. Since then, she has been revered as a saint and her name has been associated with devotion and piety.
Devota is not a common name today, but it can still be found in some parts of Europe, particularly in Italy and France. It is often used as a given name for girls, but it can also be used as a surname or middle name.
Overall, Devota is a unique and meaningful name with a rich history behind it. Its Latin origin gives it a classic and timeless feel, while its association with Saint Devota adds an element of spirituality to the name.
The name Devota has been given to a total of 200 babies in the United States over the years. The peak years for this name were in the early to mid-20th century, with the highest number of births occurring in 1929, when there were 12 newborn girls named Devota.
Interestingly, the name Devota has seen several periods of popularity throughout the decades. In the early 1900s, there were more than five births each year between 1909 and 1913. However, the number of babies named Devota decreased significantly in the following years, with only one or two births per year from 1924 to 1935.
After a brief increase in popularity during the mid-1930s to early 1940s, the name Devota once again fell out of favor. From 1946 to 1951, there were fewer than five births per year with this name. However, in recent years, it seems that the name Devota has started to make a comeback, with more than five births each year since 2007.
Overall, while the name Devota may not have been extremely popular throughout history, it has seen several periods of popularity and continues to be given to babies today.