Tamsin is a unique and captivating female given name of Cornish origin. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Celtic language spoken in Cornwall, a region located in southwest England. In Cornish, Tamsin means "double," which refers to the concept of two people being joined together or one person having two aspects.
The name Tamsin is believed to have originated from the Middle Cornish word "douglas" or "douglasen," which translates to "double." Over time, this word evolved into the modern spelling of Tamsin. It is important to note that while Tamsin has strong Cornish roots, it is not exclusively used in Cornwall today. People with this name can be found throughout the United Kingdom and even beyond.
In literature, Tamsin gained some notoriety through the works of the famous English poet Sir Walter Scott. In his long narrative poem "The Lady of the Lake" (1810), Scott included a character named Tamsin, who is described as a beautiful maiden with dark hair and eyes. While Scott may have been inspired by the Cornish origins of the name, there is no evidence to suggest that he intended to associate it with any specific cultural or historical context.
Today, Tamsin remains a distinctive and elegant given name for girls. Its unique sound and intriguing meaning make it an attractive choice for parents looking for something different from traditional names. Despite its relatively rare usage, Tamsin has managed to maintain a certain level of popularity over the centuries, with a steady number of newborns bearing this name each year.
In conclusion, Tamsin is a captivating female given name with ancient Celtic roots in Cornwall, England. Its meaning, "double," adds an intriguing layer to its origin story. While not widely used, Tamsin has made appearances in literature and continues to be chosen by parents for their daughters today. Those who bear this beautiful name carry with them a unique and rich history that stretches back centuries.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trends and popularity of the name Tamsin in the United States over several decades.
Starting from the mid-20th century, the number of babies named Tamsin remained relatively low but steady. Between 1955 and 1978, there were fewer than ten births per year with this name, fluctuating between five to seven births annually.
However, starting in the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a noticeable increase in the number of babies named Tamsin. The highest number of births during this period occurred in 1983, with nine newborn girls receiving the name.
The popularity of the name continued to grow through the 1990s and into the 21st century. Between 1993 and 2005, there were consistently more than five births per year for each of these years, reaching a peak of twelve births in 2005.
The trend of increasing popularity continued throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. Between 2008 and 2013, there were consistently more than ten births per year for each of these years, reaching a peak of nineteen births in 2014.
Interestingly, even as recent as 2022, there were eight births with the name Tamsin, showing that it remains a relevant choice among parents today. Overall, over the span of nearly seven decades from 1955 to 2023, there have been a total of 406 babies born in the United States named Tamsin.