Martine is a feminine given name of French origin and meaning. It derives from the Latin word "Martinus", which was originally used for both men and women in medieval France. The name Martinus is believed to have been brought to France by Roman soldiers during the Empire's expansion into Gaul.
The literal meaning of Martine is "dedicated to Mars". Mars was the Roman god of war, and thus the name may have originally been given to children who were intended for a military or warrior lifestyle. However, over time, the name became more associated with peace and love rather than warfare, perhaps due to the influence of Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century Christian bishop known for his acts of charity.
Martine gained popularity as a female name in France during the Middle Ages. It was particularly common among the nobility and royalty, with several French queens and princesses named Martine throughout history. Some notable examples include:
* Queen Margot (Marguerite de Valois), who was born Martine before being baptized as Marguerite;
* Princess Martine of France, daughter of King Louis XIV;
* Martine Henriette of Bourbon-Conti, a member of the French royal family in the 17th century.
Despite its historical significance and once-widespread usage, Martine has become less common as a given name today. However, it remains a beloved classic in France and other French-speaking countries, with some people choosing it for their daughters to honor family history or traditions. Overall, Martine is a unique and charming name with a rich history that stretches back centuries.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Martine has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States.
In the early to mid-20th century, there were fewer than ten births per year with the name Martine, with only five births recorded in both 1929 and 1959. However, starting from the late 1960s, we begin to see a slight increase in popularity, with seven births recorded in 1963 and 1966.
The 1970s and early 1980s saw a significant rise in the number of newborn girls named Martine. The highest number of births in this period was recorded in 1986, with 13 babies being named Martine. This trend continued into the early 1990s, with double-digit numbers of births recorded every year from 1989 to 1994.
However, after reaching a peak in popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s, the name Martine began to decline in usage once again. From the mid-1990s onwards, there were typically fewer than ten births per year with the name Martine. The most recent data from 2022 shows that five babies were named Martine, indicating a continued, but low-level of popularity for this name.
In total, over the span of these years, there have been 313 births recorded in the United States with the name Martine. While it may not be one of the most popular names in recent years, its history shows that it has had periods of popularity and continues to be chosen as a name for newborn girls even today.