Dominique is a French male given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "dominicus," which means "of the Lord" or "belonging to the Lord." The name is associated with the Christian faith and was popularized by the French priest and theologian, Saint Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221), who founded the Dominican Order.
The name Dominique has been used in France since the Middle Ages, but it did not become widespread until the 19th century. It gained popularity during the Romantic period when there was a renewed interest in French culture and history. Today, Dominique is still considered a classic French name and is often given to boys born into Catholic families.
In some variations of the name, such as Domingo and Domenico, it has been used in other European countries and beyond. However, the original form of the name remains Dominique, which is uniquely associated with France and its cultural heritage.
Overall, the name Dominique is a timeless choice for parents looking to give their child a strong, meaningful name with deep roots in French history and culture.
The name Dominique has a rich history of usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over the years. From the early 1960s to the late 2020s, there have been a total of 5172 births registered for this name.
Initially, the name was relatively uncommon, with fewer than ten births recorded each year between 1963 and 1974. However, its popularity began to rise significantly in the early 1980s, reaching an all-time high of 129 births in 1984.
This trend continued throughout the decade, with 353 births recorded in 1985 and a peak of 374 births in 1986. The popularity of the name Dominique remained relatively high until the mid-1990s, with over 200 births recorded each year between 1990 and 1997.
However, after this point, its popularity began to decline once again. Between 1998 and 2005, there were fewer than 50 births registered for the name Dominique each year. This downward trend continued until the early 2010s, with fewer than ten births recorded annually between 2009 and 2013.
In recent years, however, the popularity of the name Dominique has begun to increase once again. Between 2017 and 2023, there have been a total of 26 births registered for this name in the United States, indicating that it may be experiencing a resurgence in popularity among parents.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Dominique has fluctuated over the years, its rich history of usage in the United States is evident. With a total of 5172 births recorded between the early 1960s and the late 2020s, it remains a beloved and enduring choice for parents across the country.