Hardy is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "hærd," which means "strong" or "hardy." The name Hardy was popularized by the poet Thomas Hardy, who used it as his pen name and also gave it to several characters in his novels.
The name Hardy has been used as a given name since medieval times. However, it gained popularity during the Victorian era, particularly after the publication of Thomas Hardy's works such as "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and "Jude the Obscure." Today, Hardy is still considered an uncommon yet memorable name choice for boys.
Overall, Hardy is a strong and robust given name that has stood the test of time. Its meaning makes it a suitable choice for parents looking for a name with a powerful and enduring significance. Additionally, its literary associations give it an intellectual and artistic cachet that may appeal to those who appreciate literature and culture.
The name Hardy has been given to a total of 5706 babies in the United States over the course of many years. The number of births with this name varied significantly from year to year, but it remained relatively uncommon throughout history.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Hardy saw its peak popularity. Between 1880 and 1923, there were more than 50 births per year in several instances. The highest number of births recorded during this period was in 1921 with 151 babies named Hardy.
After World War II, the popularity of the name Hardy began to decline significantly. Between 1946 and 1973, there were fewer than 50 births per year on average. The lowest number of births recorded during this period was in 1973 with only 24 babies named Hardy.
The trend continued into the late 20th century and early 21st century, with the number of births with the name Hardy fluctuating between single digits and low double digits. However, there has been a recent resurgence in popularity for the name Hardy, with more than 50 births recorded each year since 2014.
In conclusion, while the name Hardy has not been particularly popular throughout history, it has seen several periods of modest popularity, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite its recent decline in popularity, there is evidence that the name Hardy may be regaining some traction among parents in the United States today.