Thetis is a female name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "theites," which means "divine" or "from the sea." In Greek mythology, Thetis was a Nereid, a sea nymph who was the mother of Achilles, one of the greatest heroes of the Trojan War. According to the legend, Thetis dipped her son in the River Styx to make him invulnerable, except for his heel, which she held while doing so. This is why Achilles' heel became a metaphor for any vulnerable point.
The name Thetis has been used throughout history and can be found in various cultures. In ancient Greek literature, Thetis appears in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey as the mother of Achilles. She was also mentioned by other Greek poets such as Hesiod and Pindar. In Roman mythology, she was known as Thetide.
The name Thetis has been used as a given name for females since the Middle Ages. It gained popularity during the Victorian era when classic Greek names were fashionable. Today, it is still considered an uncommon but beautiful name with strong ties to ancient Greek mythology and history.
Overall, Thetis is a unique and captivating name that carries with it a rich historical and mythological significance. Its meaning, "divine" or "from the sea," reflects its connection to ancient Greek culture and mythology.
Thetis is a unique and distinctive name that has been used for babies born in the United States since at least the early 20th century. According to the statistics provided, there were a total of 147 babies named Thetis born in the U.S. between 1914 and 1949.
The peak years for this name's popularity during this period were in the mid-1920s, with ten births each year in both 1922 and 1923. This indicates that there was a brief but notable trend of parents choosing the name Thetis during this time.
However, it is important to note that even at its most popular, Thetis was still quite an uncommon name. In no year did more than ten babies receive this name, suggesting that those who chose it were likely drawn to its uniqueness and distinctiveness.
After the 1920s, the popularity of the name Thetis declined significantly. There were only five births each in 1933, 1939, and 1941, before rising slightly to seven births in 1946. This suggests that while some parents continued to choose this name for their daughters even decades later, it remained a relatively uncommon choice.
Overall, these statistics provide an interesting snapshot of the usage of the name Thetis in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. They show that while it was never a particularly common name, there were periods where it gained some popularity, and that its usage persisted even as trends changed over time.