Chloe is a female given name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek word "chloé," which means "blooming" or "growing in prosperity." The name Chloe was popularized by the novel "The Expedition of Captain Bonneville" published in 1837, where it was used as a character's name for the first time. Throughout history, several notable figures have borne this name, including Chloe Anthony Wofford, an American poet and educator better known by her pen name Toni Morrison. Today, Chloe remains a popular choice for parents seeking a name with Greek roots and positive connotations associated with growth and prosperity.
The name Chloe has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was quite rare, with fewer than 100 births per year between 1880 and 1930. However, starting from the 1940s, its popularity began to grow steadily.
By the 1970s, Chloe had become a more common name, with over 50 births per year. This trend continued into the 1980s, with the number of annual births reaching triple digits in 1986 and continuing to rise throughout the decade.
The 1990s saw an even more significant surge in Chloe's popularity. In just a few years, the number of annual births quadrupled from around 350 in 1990 to over 7,000 by the end of the decade. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with Chloe becoming one of the most popular girls' names in America.
Since then, while its popularity has slightly decreased, it remains quite common. In recent years, Chloe consistently ranks among the top 50 girl's names in the United States, demonstrating that this name continues to be well-liked by parents today.
This data shows not only the fluctuations in popularity of the name Chloe over time but also how tastes and trends in naming children can change dramatically from decade to decade. It is fascinating to observe how a once uncommon name has become so widely used in just a few generations.