Cuthbert is a rare and distinctive male given name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is composed of two elements: "cūth" meaning famous or illustrious, and "beorht" meaning bright or famous. Therefore, the name Cuthbert means "famous and brilliant".
The name Cuthbert has a rich history dating back to the early Middle Ages. One of the most notable figures bearing this name is Saint Cuthbert (c. 634 – 687), a monk and bishop who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in Northumbria, a historical region in northeastern England.
Saint Cuthbert was born into a noble family in southern Scotland but later moved to the monastery at Melrose. He became known for his piety and miracles, eventually becoming the bishop of Lindisfarne. After his death, numerous tales of his saintly virtues and miraculous deeds spread throughout the region.
The name Cuthbert gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to the veneration of Saint Cuthbert. However, its usage has declined significantly over time, making it quite rare today. Nevertheless, it remains an intriguing choice for parents seeking a unique and historically significant name for their son.
The name Cuthbert has a unique history of usage in the United States, with a total of 151 births recorded between the years 1912 and 1955. The name's popularity fluctuated over this period, with some years seeing more than ten births and others fewer than five.
The most popular years for the name Cuthbert were 1916 and 1930, with 12 and 13 births respectively. Conversely, the least popular years were 1925 and 1943, with only five births recorded each year.
It's interesting to note that there was a gap of twenty-two years between the last birth recorded in 1955 and the next one in 1977. This suggests that Cuthbert may have fallen out of favor as a baby name for several decades before experiencing a resurgence.
Overall, while the name Cuthbert is not particularly common today, its historical usage in the United States demonstrates a fascinating pattern of popularity over time.