The name Hortense is of French origin and has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin word "hortensis", which means "of the garden" or "pertaining to the garden". The name was originally given as a surname to individuals who lived near gardens or worked in gardening.
Over time, Hortense became more commonly used as a feminine given name rather than a surname. It gained popularity during the 19th century in France and other French-speaking countries. Some notable figures with the name Hortense include Hortense de Beauharnais, the stepdaughter of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Hortense Mann, the daughter of composer Felix Mendelssohn.
Today, Hortense is still used as a given name, but it is considered somewhat rare and unique. It may appeal to parents who wish to give their daughter an elegant and distinctive name with a rich history behind it. Overall, Hortense is a name that evokes images of beauty and nature, while also having a strong connection to French culture and heritage.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe the trend of the name Hortense among newborns in the United States from 1880 to 1976.
From 1880 to around 1912, there was a steady increase in the number of girls named Hortense at birth. The lowest point during this period was in 1880 with only 14 births, and the highest was in 1912 with 133 births.
However, from approximately 1912 onwards, we see a significant decrease in the popularity of the name Hortense. By 1976, the number of newborn girls named Hortense had dropped to just 5 per year.
Over this entire period, there were a total of 6,313 births registered for the name Hortense in the United States. Despite its decline in recent decades, it's clear that at one time, Hortense was a popular choice among parents seeking unique and distinctive names for their daughters.