The name Hawkins is of English origin and has a rich history behind it. It is derived from the Middle English word 'Hawk', which refers to the bird of prey. The suffix '-s' was added to denote 'son of'. Therefore, the name Hawkins literally means 'son of Hawk'.
The use of surnames that signify 'son of' became popular in England during the Middle Ages as a way to distinguish between different families with the same first name. It is believed that the surname Hawkins was brought over to England by Norman invaders after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Some notable figures with the surname Hawkins include Sir Henry Hawkins, who served as Chief Justice of England from 1621-1625, and John Hawkins, a 16th-century English slave trader and navigator. The name has also been used in popular culture, such as in the TV series "Stranger Things," where Jim Hopper is known by his middle name, Hawkins.
Overall, the name Hawkins has a strong historical background and denotes a sense of lineage and tradition. It is a unique and distinctive name that continues to be used today.
The name Hawkins has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 5 births with the name Hawkins each year from 1914 to 1925. However, starting from 1990, the number of births with this name began to rise steadily.
In 1993 and 1994, there were 7 births each year, marking a slight increase compared to previous years. The number of births continued to grow, reaching double digits for the first time in 2002 with 10 births that year. This trend continued, with the highest number of births recorded in 2016 at 88.
Overall, from 1914 to 2023, there have been a total of 851 births with the name Hawkins in the United States. The data shows that while the name was relatively uncommon in the early part of the twentieth century, it has become more popular in recent years, with the peak occurring in 2016.
It's interesting to note that the popularity of the name Hawkins began to increase around the same time as the release of the television show "Lost," which featured a main character named Desmond Hume who was born with the surname Hawkins. This could potentially be a contributing factor to the rise in popularity of this name, although it's difficult to say for certain without further information.
In conclusion, while the name Hawkins may not have been particularly common throughout much of the twentieth century, its popularity has grown significantly over the past few decades, with a total of 851 births recorded between 1914 and 2023 in the United States.