Marica is a feminine given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "marcio," which means "rotten" or "decayed." Despite its unappealing origin, Marica has been used as a given name for centuries and has gained some popularity in Italy and other Italian-speaking regions.
The name Marica was first recorded in the 13th century in Tuscany, where it was likely used as a diminutive form of the name Maria. However, its use as a distinct given name appears to have declined over time, with only a small number of individuals bearing the name today.
There are no notable historical figures or famous people named Marica that we are aware of. As such, there is no specific history associated with this name beyond its origin and usage throughout the centuries.
While the meaning of Marica may not be the most pleasant, it has been used as a given name for centuries and remains an option for parents looking for unique Italian names for their daughters. Ultimately, whether or not to choose this name is a personal decision that depends on individual preferences and cultural context.
The name Marica has been used with varying frequency over the years in the United States. The earliest recorded birth was in 1938, with a total of 5 babies being named Marica that year. The following year, the number increased slightly to 6 births.
This trend continued throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s, with the highest number of Marica births occurring in 1958, when there were 21 newborn girls given this name. This can be seen as a significant spike compared to previous years.
However, from the mid-1960s onwards, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. Despite some fluctuations over the next few decades, such as peaks in 1974 with 33 births and 1983 with 27 births, the overall trend was downward.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of babies named Marica had decreased significantly. Only 5 or fewer births were recorded each year from 1996 to 2005, indicating that this name had fallen out of favor with parents in the United States.
In total, over the years covered by these statistics, there were 924 babies born in the United States named Marica. While once popular, particularly during the mid-20th century, the name has since become much less common.