Alfonsa is a unique and distinctive female given name of Spanish origin. It is derived from the male name Alfonso, which is ultimately derived from the Germanic elements "adal" meaning noble and "funs" meaning ready or prepared. The name Alfonso was borne by several prominent historical figures, including Alfonso X of Castile (also known as Alfonso the Wise), who reigned in the 13th century.
The name Alfonsa is not as commonly used as its male counterpart, but it has been recorded throughout history. For instance, there was a Saint Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception, born Luisa Maria Longo in Italy in 1852. She founded the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1950.
In literature, Alfonsa is also featured as a character in the play "The House of Bernarda Alba" by Federico García Lorca. The name Alfonsa has a strong and noble sound to it, reflecting its origins, but it is also unique enough to stand out from more common names. It is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, qualities reflected by some of its most notable bearers throughout history.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Alfonsa has been a relatively uncommon choice for newborns in the United States over the past century. The highest number of births recorded in any single year was 11, which occurred in 1947. In contrast, there were years where only 5 babies named Alfonsa were born.
The most popular decade for the name Alfonsa appears to be the 1940s, with a total of 32 births occurring between 1940 and 1949. The 1960s also saw a notable number of Alfonsa births, with a total of 13 babies named Alfonsa born between 1960 and 1969.
Overall, there have been a total of 144 babies named Alfonsa born in the United States since 1919. While this is not a particularly common name, it has still been chosen for over a hundred newborns throughout the years. It will be interesting to see if the trend continues and whether or not the name Alfonsa gains more popularity in future decades.