Neenah is a unique and uncommon female given name of Native American origin. It is derived from the Oneida Indian word "neenaah", which means "lily". The lily is a symbol of purity, beauty, and grace in many cultures, making Neenah a name that evokes these positive qualities.
The use of Neenah as a given name can be traced back to the early 20th century. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that it began to gain popularity as a given name for baby girls. Today, while still relatively rare, Neenah is recognized as a distinctive and meaningful name choice.
One notable figure with the name Neenah is American artist Neenah Ellis, known for her work in fiber arts and mixed media. Her unique name has helped to bring attention to her creative pursuits and has contributed to the growing recognition of Neenah as a beautiful and meaningful given name.
The name Neenah has seen varied popularity over the past seven decades in the United States. With a total of 245 births recorded since 1949, it has experienced periods of both fluctuation and growth.
In the early years, from 1949 to 1980, there were only five births each year, indicating that Neenah was not widely chosen as a baby name during this time. However, starting in 1985, we begin to see an increase in its popularity with nine births recorded that year.
The years between 1985 and 2007 show an upward trend for the name Neenah. There were periods of significant growth, such as from seven births in 1998 to thirteen births in 2003, indicating a notable increase in popularity during these years. The highest number of births recorded in this period was twenty-four in 2006.
After 2007, the popularity of Neenah seems to have stabilized at around ten births per year until 2014, after which it starts to decline slightly. However, even in recent years, with five births each in 2018 and six in 2020, Neenah continues to be a chosen name for babies born in the United States.
Overall, while Neenah may not be one of the most popular names in the U.S., it has maintained a steady presence over time, with periods of notable growth and decline in its popularity.