Cullen is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Culien," which means "holly." It is also associated with the ancient Irish family name Ó Cuilinn, which is believed to mean "descendant of Cullen."
The name Cullen has been present in Irish history for centuries. One notable figure bearing this name was Sir Richard Cullen (1638-1702), who was an Irish politician and judge. He served as the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1692 until his death.
In more recent times, the name Cullen has gained popularity in other English-speaking countries aside from Ireland. It is often used as a given name for boys but can also be used as a surname.
Overall, the name Cullen carries a sense of ancient Irish heritage and tradition while also being modern and versatile enough to suit various contexts. Its association with the evergreen holly plant gives it a touch of enduring beauty and resilience.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Cullen in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Over this period, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of the name Cullen.
From 1880 to around 1950, the number of babies named Cullen remained relatively low and fluctuating, with fewer than 30 births per year on average. However, starting from the late 1950s, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Cullen.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the number of babies named Cullen began to rise steadily, reaching over 50 births per year by the end of the 1970s. The most significant growth occurred between the late 1980s and the mid-1990s, during which time the number of babies named Cullen tripled from around 200 births per year in 1988 to over 600 births per year by 1995.
This trend continued throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, with the name Cullen reaching peak popularity between 2009 and 2010, during which time over 670 babies were named Cullen each year. Since then, the popularity of the name has decreased slightly but has remained relatively high compared to previous decades.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there have been 16,204 births with the name Cullen in the United States. This demonstrates that while the name Cullen was not particularly popular throughout much of the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries, it has since become a common choice for parents in the United States, reaching its peak popularity in recent decades.
It is interesting to note that the increase in the popularity of the name Cullen coincides with the rise of pop culture references featuring the name, such as the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and the television show Lost. However, it is difficult to determine the extent to which these influences contributed to the increased popularity of the name Cullen without further research.
Overall, the statistics provided offer a fascinating glimpse into the shifting trends in baby naming over the past 143 years in the United States, with the name Cullen experiencing a notable increase in popularity since the mid-20th century.