Camille is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French word "camelie," which means "camellia," the flowering plant known for its large, colorful blooms. The name Camille has been popular among French speakers since the Middle Ages and was even used by some royalty, such as Marie-Antoinette's younger sister, Archduchess Marie Anne of Austria.
The name gained further popularity after it was used in several works of literature. In Alexandre Dumas' novel "La Dame aux Camélias," the main character is a courtesan named Marguerite Gautier, who is also known as Camille. This story was later adapted into an opera by Verdi and a ballet by John Neumeier. Additionally, George Bernard Shaw's play "Candida" features a character named Eugene Marchbanks who is obsessed with a woman called Camille.
In English-speaking countries, the name Camille began to gain popularity in the latter half of the 20th century. Today, it is considered a stylish and sophisticated choice for a girl's name. While it remains more popular in France and other French-speaking countries, it has also gained traction in the United States and other English-speaking nations.
In terms of spelling variations, Camille can also be found written as Camila or Camilla, especially in English-speaking countries where these spellings are more common for names of Latin origin. However, all three forms are ultimately derived from the same source: the French word for camellia.
Overall, the name Camille is a elegant and distinctive choice with a rich history and a lovely meaning related to beauty and elegance.
Between the years 1917 and 1932, there were a total of 33 babies born with the name Camille in the United States. The popularity of the name varied over this period, with some years seeing more births than others. Specifically, there were six births each in 1917, 1924, and 1925, five births each in 1919, 1928, and 1932. These statistics provide insight into how common the name Camille was during this time frame, showing fluctuations over a span of sixteen years.