The name Cherity is of English origin and means "dear" or "beloved". It is derived from the Middle English word "cher", which means dear or beloved. The name has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, but it was not particularly popular until the 20th century.
Cherity is often associated with the French word "chéri(e)", which means sweetheart or darling. However, there is no direct connection between Cherity and this French term. Rather, both names share a common root in the Latin word "carus", meaning dear or beloved.
There are several notable people named Cherity throughout history. One example is Cherithilihy, an early 17th-century English woman who was listed as a beneficiary in her father's will. Another example is Cherity King, an American jazz singer and actress who was active during the mid-20th century.
Today, Cherity remains a relatively uncommon given name, but it continues to be used by some families who appreciate its unique sound and meaning. Some people may also choose this name as a way to honor someone with the name Cherry or Cherie, while still giving their child a distinct and meaningful name of their own.
The statistics provided show the annual births of the name Cherity in the United States from 1970 to 2013. During this period, a total of 230 babies were named Cherity.
The name Cherity experienced some popularity fluctuations during these years. The highest number of births occurred in 1972 with 19 newborns given this name. This was followed by a peak in 1974 and 1975, with 16 and 15 births respectively. However, the popularity started to decline afterwards, reaching its lowest point in 1983 and 1988 with only 5 births each year.
There were periods of resurgence, notably in 1985 and 1987 with 8 and 9 births respectively, and even a peak in the 21st century with 8 births in 2000. However, these instances did not reach the levels seen in the early 1970s.
Overall, while Cherity was not one of the most popular names during this period, it maintained a steady presence among newborns in the United States over four decades.