Vasti is a unique and captivating name of Greek origin. It means "pure" or "innocent," deriving from the Greek word "kastos," which translates to "chaste." The name Vasti has a rich history, particularly in the Bible.
In the Book of Esther, one of the Old Testament's most fascinating stories, Vasti is introduced as the first wife of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), who ruled over Persia around 486 BCE. Vasti was known for her exceptional beauty and wisdom, qualities that initially impressed the king.
However, according to biblical accounts, Vasti refused to obey the king's summons to appear before his guests at a grand banquet. This act of disobedience infuriated King Ahasuerus, leading him to divorce Vasti and replace her with Esther, who ultimately became his new queen and saved her people from annihilation.
Throughout history, the name Vasti has been associated with beauty, wisdom, and strength. While it may not be as commonly used today, it remains a distinctive and intriguing choice for parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Vasti has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1973 and 2023, there have been a total of 225 babies named Vasti.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can observe several fluctuations:
* The name was most popular in the early 2000s with peaks in 2003 (11 births) and 2009 (14 births).
* In the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were consistent years where Vasti was given to around 5-7 babies each year.
* After a decline in popularity towards the end of the 1990s, it picked up again in the early 2000s before fluctuating between 5 and 14 births per year until the most recent data available in 2023.
It's interesting to note that despite these fluctuations, Vasti has maintained a consistent presence in the U.S. baby name landscape over these five decades, with at least one child named Vasti born every year from 1973 to 2023 (except for years where data is not available). This suggests that while it may not be among the most popular names, Vasti remains a recognizable and chosen option for parents naming their children in the United States.