Jonquil is a unique and elegant given name of French origin. It comes from the word 'jonquille', which refers to the narcissus flower commonly known as daffodil. The name Jonquil was popularized in English literature by Sir Walter Scott, who used it for one of his characters in his novel "The Fair Maid of Perth". However, its use as a given name is quite rare and uncommon. Despite its rarity, Jonquil carries a beautiful and delicate meaning associated with the flower itself, making it an intriguing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
The name Jonquil has seen a fluctuating trend in its popularity over the past century in the United States. It started off with a consistent number of five births per year from 1934 to 1971, indicating that it was a well-known and chosen name during this period.
There was a notable increase in popularity between 1972 and 1983, with the highest peak reaching twelve births in 1983. This suggests that Jonquil might have been influenced by cultural trends or famous figures during these years.
However, from 1984 onwards, the name's popularity started to decline steadily. There were periods where it dropped below five births per year, such as in 1994 and 2001. This indicates that Jonquil might have fallen out of favor or was replaced by newer trends in baby naming.
Overall, despite its ups and downs, Jonquil has maintained a consistent presence in the United States with a total of 214 births recorded over the years. It's clear that while it may not be one of the most popular names, Jonquil has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the naming landscape of America.