Amica is a feminine given name of Latin origin. Its meaning is "friend". The name Amica is derived from the Latin word 'amicitia', which means friendship. In ancient Roman culture, amicitia was considered one of the most important social bonds, alongside family ties and citizenship.
The use of the name Amica can be traced back to the early Christian era. Early Christians often gave their children names with religious or spiritual significance. The name Amica may have been chosen by early Christian parents as a way to express their desire for friendship and unity among believers.
In some cultures, the name Amica is also associated with the concept of hospitality and welcoming others into one's home and life. This connection may be due in part to the fact that friends are often considered honorary family members, and therefore worthy of the same warmth and generosity extended to biological relatives.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Amica. One famous example is Saint Amica, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century. According to tradition, she was tortured and executed for her faith during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Her feast day is celebrated on August 7th.
Today, Amica remains a relatively uncommon but meaningful name choice for parents looking to honor friendship, hospitality, or Christian heritage. Its simple yet profound meaning makes it a popular choice among those seeking a name with spiritual or cultural significance.
The name Amica has a unique distribution pattern among baby girls born in the United States between 1974 and 2020. During this period, there were a total of 99 babies named Amica.
The years with the highest number of births for girls named Amica were 1980 and 1983, with both years seeing 8 births each. This indicates that these two specific years might have been particularly popular times for parents to choose this name for their daughters.
Interestingly, there was a significant gap in the usage of the name Amica from 1974 to 1998, with only one birth each year between 1976 and 1980, except for the peak years mentioned earlier. However, since 1998, there has been more consistent use of the name, with at least five births per year occurring regularly until as recently as 2020.
This data suggests that while Amica was not a very common name among newborn girls in the United States during most of the period between 1974 and 2020, it has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity.