Concepción is a Spanish given name for females, derived from the Spanish word "concepción" which means conception or pregnancy. The name is believed to have originated in Spain during the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born to families with strong religious beliefs.
In Spanish culture, Concepción has been traditionally associated with the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, a Catholic belief that celebrates the idea that Mary was conceived without sin. As such, the name has been popular among Catholics for centuries.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Concepción. One famous example is Concepción Arenal y López de Armengol (1820-1893), a Spanish feminist and social reformer who campaigned for women's rights and prison reform. Another notable figure is Concepción Picciotto (born 1946), an American peace activist who has maintained a continuous vigil outside the White House since 1981, calling for an end to nuclear weapons.
In literature, the name Concepción has appeared in several works by Spanish authors. One example is "Cecilia Valdés" by Cirilo Villaverde, a novel set in Cuba during the late nineteenth century, where one of the main characters is named Concepción.
Today, Concepción remains a popular choice for girls' names in Spain and Latin America, although its usage has declined somewhat since the mid-twentieth century. The name can also be found among Spanish-speaking communities around the world. While it may sound old-fashioned to some, Concepción continues to evoke a sense of tradition, faith, and strong female role models.
Here are some interesting statistics regarding the name Concepcion in the United States:
* The name first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1880.
* From 1880 to 1920, there was a slow but steady increase in the number of births registered with the name Concepcion each year. This period saw a total of 436 births.
* The peak popularity for this name occurred between 1920 and 1925, with an average of 87 births per year during these five years alone.
* However, after reaching its zenith in the mid-1920s, popularity started to decline. From 1926 onwards, there were fewer than 100 births registered annually until the late 1940s when it dropped below 50.
* In recent decades (2000-2023), Concepcion has continued to maintain some level of popularity with at least one birth per year being registered on average. Since 2000, there have been a total of 218 births in the United States with this name.
Overall, despite fluctuations over time, Concepcion remains a unique and timeless name choice for parents seeking something distinctive and memorable for their children.