Antoine is a masculine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Antonius. The name Antonius is believed to have been derived from the Latin word "ansare," which means "to bloom" or "to flourish." It was often associated with the ancient Roman gens (clan) Antoine.
The name Antoine became popular during the Middle Ages in France, where it was often given to boys born around Christmas time due to its association with Saint Antoine of Padua, a 13th-century Catholic priest and Doctor of the Church. Saint Antoine is credited with many miracles and is considered the patron saint of lost items.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Antoine. One of the most famous was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the French aviator and author who wrote "The Little Prince," one of the most translated books in the world. Another notable figure was Antoine Lavoisier, an 18th-century French chemist known for his role in the development of modern chemistry.
Today, Antoine remains a popular given name throughout France and other Francophone countries, as well as in Belgium and parts of Switzerland. It is also used occasionally in English-speaking countries. The name's association with Saint Antoine of Padua has made it particularly popular among Catholics.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Antoine has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States.
The peak of its popularity was reached between 1974 and 1979, during which time there were more than 20 births each year. In particular, 1979 saw a high of 22 births. However, this popularity seems to have been short-lived as the number of births dropped significantly afterwards.
The name Antoine continued to maintain some level of popularity throughout the late 80s and early 90s, with an average of about 15 births per year between 1987 and 1992. However, it began to decline again in the mid-90s, with fewer than ten births recorded each year from 1993 onwards.
In recent years, the name Antoine has seen a slight resurgence, with about six births reported annually since 2011. This suggests that while Antoine may not be as popular as it once was, it still remains a recognizable and used name in the United States.
Overall, these statistics provide an interesting snapshot of the popularity of the name Antoine over time in the United States, demonstrating its waxing and waning trends over five decades.