Dionisia is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the male name Dionysius, which itself comes from the Greek god of wine and fertility, Dionysus. The name means "following Dionysus" or "devoted to Bacchus," another name for the Roman equivalent of Dionysus.
The name Dionisia was popular during the Middle Ages in Spain, where it was often given to girls born into noble families. It is also found in other regions with significant Spanish influence, such as Latin America and the Philippines.
One famous bearer of the name Dionisia was Doña Dionisia Pitty y Guillén, a wealthy Spanish landowner who played a significant role in the establishment of the city of Buenos Aires in the 16th century. She donated a large portion of her land to the crown for the creation of the city, and her estate became one of its earliest neighborhoods.
Today, Dionisia is still used as a given name, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. It may be more commonly found among older generations, but it remains a meaningful and distinctive choice for parents looking for a unique name with a rich history. Despite its masculine origins, Dionisia has been traditionally considered a feminine name, reflecting the tradition of using female endings (-sia) to denote femininity in many languages.
The statistics provided show the number of births with the name Dionisia in the United States each year from 1916 to 2012. Over this period of 97 years, there were a total of 234 babies named Dionisia.
The name's popularity fluctuated significantly over time. The highest number of babies named Dionisia was recorded in 1974 and 1979 with 10 births each year. However, there were also several years where the name was not given to any newborn girls at all.
In more recent times, from 2006 onwards, the name Dionisia has seen a slight resurgence with 9 births in both 2004 and 2006, indicating that it might still be considered by some parents as an option for their daughters' names. However, the number of births has since decreased, with only 6 recorded in 2012.
Overall, while Dionisia may not have been a consistently popular name throughout history, its usage has varied over time, reaching peaks and valleys of popularity.