Navier is a French surname and given name of Italian origin. It derives from the Italian word "navigare," which means "to navigate." The name has a long history dating back to ancient times, with its earliest known usage being in Italy during the Middle Ages.
The Navier family, from whom many of the most famous bearers of this name are descended, was originally a noble house from Normandy. They were granted lands and titles by the French monarchy, and over time, they rose to prominence as influential figures in politics, military affairs, and culture. Some notable members of the Navier family include:
* Jacques-Nicolas Conté (1755-1805), a French mineralogist and chemist who discovered graphite and invented the modern pencil lead.
* Marie Navier, née Merlet (1849-1930), a renowned French actress known for her roles in classic tragedies by Racine, Corneille, and other playwrights.
The name Navier has also been used as a given name, particularly among families of Italian descent or those with connections to the sea. However, it remains relatively uncommon outside of France and Italy.
In summary, Navier is an historic surname and given name with roots in ancient Italy and Norman France. Its meaning, "to navigate," reflects its maritime origins and connection to exploration and discovery.
The name Navier has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. Between 2005 and 2023, there were a total of 111 babies born with this name.
The peak years for births with the name Navier were 2021 and 2023, each seeing 18 and 10 births respectively. This indicates that recent years have seen an increased interest in this name compared to earlier decades.
Interestingly, there was a significant gap between the years 2005 and 2008 with only 8 births recorded in 2005, followed by 5 births in each of the subsequent years until 2013. This suggests that Navier might not have been as popular during these years.
However, starting from 2015, there was a noticeable increase in popularity again, with births ranging between 6 to 11 annually. This fluctuating trend highlights how parental preferences can change over time and across different regions within the United States.