Marcelina is a feminine given name of Latin origin that means "dedicated to Mars". Mars was the Roman god of war and also represented strength and courage. The name Marcelina is derived from the masculine name Marcellus, which was used in ancient Rome for children born around the time of the god Mars' festival.
The name Marcelina has been popular throughout history, particularly among Christians. Saint Marcelina, whose feast day is celebrated on June 15th, was a Christian martyr who lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century AD. She refused to sacrifice to pagan gods and was tortured and killed for her faith. The name Marcelina became associated with her memory and has been used by Christians ever since.
Today, Marcelina is still a popular name in many countries around the world. It is particularly common in Latin America and Spain, where it has been used for generations. In some cultures, Marcelina is also associated with the moon, as Mars was sometimes considered the ruler of that celestial body.
Overall, Marcelina is a strong and powerful name with a rich history dating back to ancient Rome. Its association with Saint Marcelina gives it an added layer of meaning and significance for many people of faith.
The data provided shows the annual number of births with the name Marcelina in the United States from 1892 to 2023. Over this period, there is a clear trend of fluctuation in the popularity of the name.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Marcelina was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 10 births per year occurring between 1892 and 1920. However, starting from the mid-1920s, there is a noticeable increase in the number of girls named Marcelina, reaching a peak of 54 births in 1934.
This high level of popularity continues until the late 1940s, with consistently over 20 births per year. After this period, the name starts to become less common again, dropping below 20 births per year from 1950 onwards.
Interestingly, there is a resurgence in the popularity of the name Marcelina in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with over 30 births per year occurring between 1974 and 1986. However, this trend does not continue, and the name becomes less common again in the following decades.
More recently, there has been another increase in the popularity of the name Marcelina, with over 30 births per year occurring between 2014 and 2023. This suggests that the name is once again becoming more popular among parents in the United States.
Overall, while the name Marcelina has not consistently been one of the most popular names in the United States, it has experienced periods of notable popularity throughout history. It will be interesting to see if this recent trend continues and whether the name becomes more common in future years.