Rowland is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Old German name Hrodland, which was composed of two elements: "hrod," meaning "fame" or "renown," and "-land," indicating that it was likely an occupational name given to someone who worked on land owned by a person named Hroth. The name was popular among the Anglo-Saxons during the Middle Ages and can still be found in various forms today, such as Roland and Rolando.
One of the most famous historical figures with the name Rowland was Saint Rowland, also known as Saint Roland of France. He was a French nobleman who became a Christian martyr in the 9th century. Legend has it that he refused to renounce his faith during the time of religious persecution under Charlemagne and was subsequently executed. His feast day is celebrated on September 16.
In literature, Rowland appears as a character in several works, including the epic poem "The Song of Roland" by Turoldus, which tells the story of a fictionalized version of Charlemagne's chief knight. The name has also been used in more modern literature, such as in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series, where Rowland is one of the main characters.
Overall, Rowland is a name with a rich history and interesting origins that continues to be used today. Despite its somewhat outdated feel, it remains a unique choice for parents looking for an unusual but meaningful name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends regarding the number of births with the name Rowland in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
Firstly, let's examine the historical popularity of the name Rowland. The earliest data point available is for the year 1880, with a total of 5 births recorded that year. The popularity of the name increased steadily over time, reaching its peak in the early 20th century. Between the years 1912 and 1917, there were consistently high numbers of babies named Rowland, with a remarkable increase from 27 births in 1912 to a peak of 90 births in 1917.
However, after reaching its zenith in 1917, the popularity of the name Rowland began to decline. This downward trend continued throughout most of the century, with the lowest points occurring during the 1960s and 1970s. For example, there were only 15 births recorded for the year 1970, marking a significant decrease from previous decades.
Despite this overall decline in popularity, there have been periodic increases in the number of babies named Rowland over the years. For instance, between 2006 and 2008, there was a slight resurgence in the name's popularity, with 15 births recorded each year during that period. Additionally, recent data shows an upward trend since 2014, indicating that the name Rowland may be experiencing renewed interest among parents.
In conclusion, while the name Rowland has seen fluctuations in its popularity over time, it remains a unique and historic choice for parents looking to give their child a distinctive name with a rich history. With a total of 4248 babies named Rowland born in the United States between 1880 and 2023, this name continues to hold significance among American families.