Thomasine is a feminine given name of Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse male name Þórsmundr, which is composed of the elements Þór (Thor), the god of thunder in Norse mythology, and mundr (protection). Therefore, Thomasine can be interpreted to mean "protected by Thor" or "guardian of Thor."
The name Thomasine was popular during the Middle Ages in Scandinavia, particularly in Norway. It was often used as a female form of the male name Thomas, which had become widespread due to the influence of Christian saints with that name.
Over time, Thomasine has evolved and been adapted into various forms across different languages and cultures. In English-speaking countries, it is sometimes spelled as Tomasine or Tomassina. In German-speaking regions, it may appear as Tomasine or Tomasina.
Today, Thomasine is considered a rare but distinctive name that carries a strong Scandinavian heritage. It has not gained widespread popularity in recent times, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their daughters. Despite its rarity, the name Thomasine holds historical significance and offers an intriguing connection to Norse mythology.
The name Thomasine has been a relatively uncommon choice for newborn girls in the United States over the past century. Between 1909 and 1994, there were a total of 2,234 babies named Thomasine born in the U.S., with the number of births varying significantly from year to year.
The name first appeared on record in 1909 with five births that year, followed by another five births in 1910. The number of Thomasines being born each year remained quite low until the early 1920s when it began to rise steadily. In 1924, there were 29 babies named Thomasine, marking the first time more than 25 such births had been recorded in a single year.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the popularity of the name continued to grow, reaching an all-time high during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, there were more than 50 Thomasine babies born each year, peaking at 67 births in 1950.
However, after this brief period of popularity, the name's usage began to decline once again. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, fewer than 25 Thomasines were being born per year on average. This trend has continued into recent decades, with only a handful of babies named Thomasine recorded each year since the mid-1980s.
In summary, while Thomasine was once a moderately popular name in the United States, its usage has decreased significantly over time and it is now quite rare. Despite this decline, there continues to be a small but steady number of girls named Thomasine born each year in the U.S., suggesting that parents still occasionally choose this unique and historic name for their daughters.