Hilary is a name of Latin origin that means "cheerful." It was originally used as a male name in ancient Rome, but it has since become more commonly associated with females. The name Hilary was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066 and became popular during the Middle Ages.
In the Christian faith, Saint Hilary of Poitiers was a prominent figure who lived in the fourth century. He was known for his opposition to Arianism, a heresy that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. As a result, he was exiled by the Roman Emperor Constantius II but later recalled by Emperor Julian the Apostate. After his death, Hilary became venerated as a saint and his feast day is celebrated on January 13th.
The name Hilary has been used in literature and popular culture throughout history. In Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew," one of the characters is named Hortensio, who tries to woo the shrewish Katherina with the help of a pet lion named Lucentio. However, it is not clear whether Hilary was meant to be a male or female name in this context.
In more modern times, Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady and Secretary of State of the United States, has brought renewed attention to the name Hilary. She was born Hillary Diane Rodham on October 26, 1947, and married Bill Clinton in 1975. Despite her high-profile political career, she has stated that she prefers to be called Hillary rather than Hilary.
Overall, the name Hilary is a classic choice with a rich history and meaningful significance. Whether used as a male or female name, it evokes images of cheerfulness, intelligence, and strength of character.
The name Hillary has seen a varied trend in its popularity over the years in the United States. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was an average of about 8 births per year with this name, peaking at 13 births in 1988.
However, by the early 1990s, the popularity of the name began to decline. There were only 8 births in 1992, which is less than half the number of births in 1988. Despite this decrease in popularity, it's worth noting that over a span of 15 years (from 1978 to 1992), a total of 141 babies were named Hillary in the United States.
This data suggests that while the name Hillary may not have been one of the most popular choices during this time period, it was still a commonly used name. It's also interesting to observe how the popularity of the name varied over time, with peaks and valleys occurring throughout these 15 years.