Vanity is a unique and distinctive given name of French origin. It means "vanity" or "self-admiration" in English, deriving from the French word "vanité". The name Vanity has gained popularity in recent years as a unisex name, although it has historically been more commonly used for females.
The use of Vanity as a given name is relatively modern, with its first recorded usage being in the late 20th century. However, the concept of vanity has been present throughout history and literature, notably appearing in William Shakespeare's play "King Lear", where one of the characters, the Earl of Kent, refers to himself as "poor servant to a name" after losing his title, suggesting that names and reputations can be fleeting.
In popular culture, Vanity has gained prominence through various celebrities who have embraced this unique moniker. One notable example is Vanity of the rock band Vanity 6, which was formed by musician Prince in the mid-1980s. The group's name was a play on words, referring to both the concept of vanity and the fact that all three members had stage names beginning with the letter "V".
Overall, while Vanity is an uncommon given name, it possesses an intriguing etymology and has been embraced by some notable figures throughout history and popular culture. Its unique meaning adds an element of intrigue to this distinctive name choice.
The name Vanitie is a rare one, with only five babies born with this name each year in the United States between 1999 and 2018, according to data from the Social Security Administration. This means that over those nearly two decades, a total of just 97 children were named Vanitie at birth. Despite its rarity, the name has seen some fluctuations in popularity over time. For instance, while only five babies were named Vanitie in 1999 and again in 2004, there was a brief spike in usage in 2008 when eight newborns received this name. However, the name has never been particularly common, ranking among the least popular names for girls each year since records began being kept in the United States in 1879.