Velvet is an uncommon and unique given name of English origin. It is derived from the word "velvet," which refers to a soft, luxurious fabric. The name Velvet means "soft like velvet" or "like velvet." It is often associated with the qualities of gentleness, smoothness, and luxury.
The use of Velvet as a given name is believed to have begun in the late 19th century. It was not particularly popular during this time but gained some traction in the early to mid-20th century. However, it remained relatively uncommon compared to other names.
In terms of history, there are no notable figures with the first name Velvet. The name has been used sparingly throughout history and is more likely to be found in fiction than in historical records. For example, there was a character named Velvet Brown in the children's book series "The Baby-Sitters Club" by Ann M. Martin.
In recent years, the name Velvet has seen a slight increase in popularity. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it ranked #957 in 2018 for girls' names in the United States, indicating that while still uncommon, it is no longer completely rare.
Overall, Velvet is an unusual and distinctive given name with a simple and elegant meaning. Its use has varied throughout history but appears to be experiencing a modern resurgence. Despite its lack of historical significance, Velvet remains a unique choice for parents looking for a soft, luxurious-sounding name for their child.
The name Velvet has seen a varied journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. In the early 20th century, it was quite uncommon with only 6 births recorded in 1920. However, as time progressed, its usage increased significantly from the mid-40s to the late 60s.
In 1961, there were a record 332 babies named Velvet, which remained an unprecedented high for this name. This trend of popularity continued throughout the 60s and early 70s with birth numbers ranging between 65 to 93 annually during these years.
However, from the mid-70s onwards, there was a gradual decline in the usage of Velvet as a baby girl's name. Between 1980 and 2000, the annual number of births fluctuated between a low of 8 in 2000 to a high of 62 in 1982.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the name Velvet with numbers rebounding from single digits back up into double figures. Between 2017 and 2023, there were between 7 and 16 births each year.
Overall, while Velvet is not one of the most popular names historically or currently, it still holds a unique charm that has resulted in a cumulative total of 3071 babies named Velvet in the United States since records began.