Thayer is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from an English surname that was originally an occupational name for a rower or boatman, which comes from the Middle English word "thayer" meaning "rowing." The name Thayer has been used as a given name since the late 19th century, but it remains relatively rare.
One notable figure with the name Thayer is American astronomer and physicist George Ellery Hale (1868-1938), who was born George Ellery Thayer. He founded the Observatories at Yerkes, Mount Wilson, and Palomar, and was a major figure in the development of astronomy in the early 20th century.
While Thayer may not have any specific historical or mythological significance associated with it, its unique sound and American origins make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child. It has also been used as a middle name by some families, perhaps due to its association with notable figures like George Ellery Hale.
Overall, Thayer is a rare but memorable given name of American origin that has a straightforward occupational derivation and a connection to the world of astronomy through the accomplishments of George Ellery Hale. Its unique sound and distinctive spelling make it a standout choice for parents seeking an uncommon name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends regarding the number of births with the name Thayer in the United States from 1912 to 2023.
From 1912 to 1968, the number of births with the name Thayer fluctuated between a low of 5 and a high of 13. The most common number of births per year during this period was 8, which occurred in nine different years. However, there were no recorded births with the name Thayer in some years.
Starting from 1969, we see an increase in the number of births with the name Thayer. In fact, between 1969 and 2023, there were only three years with fewer than 10 births: 1971 (6 births), 1982 (5 births), and 2020 (16 births). The most common number of births per year during this period was 16, which occurred in five different years.
The highest number of births with the name Thayer recorded in a single year was 44, which occurred in 2013. This indicates that there was a significant increase in popularity for the name Thayer around that time.
Overall, we can conclude that while the name Thayer may not have been extremely popular throughout most of the 20th century, it has gained more traction in recent years. The total number of births with the name Thayer from 1912 to 2023 is 1,320, indicating that it is still a relatively uncommon name overall.
It's worth noting that these statistics only represent births registered with the Social Security Administration, which may not include all births in the United States during this period. Additionally, changes in naming trends can be influenced by various factors such as cultural shifts, celebrity influence, and personal preferences.