Jeannie is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French name Jeanne, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan or Johanan. The name means "God is gracious" or "God is merciful." In the Bible, Joan is the French form of John, and it was traditionally given to girls in honor of Saint Joan of Arc, the famous French heroine who fought against English occupation during the Hundred Years' War.
The name Jeannie gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in France and other Francophone countries. It also became popular among English-speaking populations due to its association with Saint Joan of Arc. In literature, one notable example is Jeanie Deans, a character in Sir Walter Scott's novel "The Heart of Midlothian." The name has continued to be used throughout the years, although it may be considered somewhat vintage today.
Overall, Jeannie is a unique and charming name with a rich history and meaningful significance. Its French origin gives it an elegant touch, while its biblical roots provide depth and substance.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Jeannie has seen a varied popularity over several decades in the United States. The peak years for this name were in the late 1940s to early 1970s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1972, totaling 6 babies that year. It's interesting to note that there was a consistent presence of this name throughout these decades, with at least 5 births reported each decade from the 1940s to the 1980s.
However, it appears that the popularity of Jeannie began to decline after the 1970s. The total number of births for this name over the specified period is 55, with an average of approximately 6 births per year during its peak decades. This data suggests that while Jeannie may not have been a highly popular name in terms of overall frequency, it did maintain a consistent presence among baby names in the United States during these years.
It's essential to remember that choosing a name for a child is a personal decision and can be influenced by various factors such as family tradition, current trends, or personal preference. The statistics provided offer insight into the historical popularity of Jeannie but do not reflect its potential future popularity or the reasons behind its usage during these decades.
In conclusion, based on the given statistics, the name Jeannie saw moderate popularity among parents in the United States between 1947 and 1980, with its peak years occurring primarily in the late 1940s to early 1970s. Despite a decline in popularity after the 1970s, this name maintained a consistent presence during these decades.