Armand is a masculine given name of French origin and meaning. It comes from the Germanic element "heri," which means "army" or "warrior," combined with the element "man." Thus, Armand translates to "protector of the army" or "warrior among men."
The name Armand has been in use for centuries, with its earliest known usage dating back to the Middle Ages. It was popular among French nobility and has since spread to other countries, including Spain, Italy, and even England.
One of the most notable figures named Armand was Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu (1585-1642), a French cardinal and statesman who served as chief minister to King Louis XIII. He is remembered for his influential role in shaping the policies of 17th-century France, earning him the title "the Cardinal de Richelieu."
While Armand may not be as commonly used today as it once was, it remains a timeless name that evokes images of elegance and sophistication, thanks to its French heritage and historic associations. It is often chosen by parents who appreciate classic names with strong meanings and origins.
The given statistics represent the number of babies named Armand born in the United States each year from 1880 to 2023. The data shows a fascinating trend over time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of Armand births fluctuated between 5 and 16 per year. However, starting around 1907, there was a significant increase in popularity for this name. Between 1907 and 1918, the number of Armand births grew from 30 to 351, indicating that parents during this time period were particularly fond of the name.
The peak popularity for the name Armand occurred in 1918 with 351 births. However, after this year, the popularity of the name began to decline. By the 1920s and 1930s, the number of Armand births fell back into the range of 167 to 247 per year.
The trend continued into the mid-20th century, with the annual number of Armand births typically ranging between 50 and 150. There was another slight increase in popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the number of Armand births reaching a peak of 138 in 1995.
However, since then, the name Armand has seen a consistent decline in popularity. In recent years, from 2016 to 2023, the annual number of Armand births has been between 34 and 43, indicating that the name is now much less common than it was during its peak popularity a century ago.
In total, there were 15,281 babies named Armand born in the United States from 1880 to 2023. While the name has seen ups and downs in popularity over time, it remains a classic choice with historical significance.