Addison, often shortened to Addie, is a unisex given name of English origin. It was originally used as both a surname and a masculine given name. The name Addison comes from the Old English elements 'adal' meaning noble, and 'stone', which referred to stone or rock. Thus, the meaning of Addison is "noble stone".
The use of Addison as a feminine name gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. However, it was not until the late 1980s that it began to rank among the top 1,000 names for girls.
In literature, one notable character named Addison is Addie Bundren from William Faulkner's novel "As I Lay Dying". The name has also been used in various films and television shows throughout the years.
The name Addie has been given to babies born in the United States for over a century. From 1880 to 2023, there have been a total of 45,009 births registered with this name.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can see that the popularity of the name Addie has fluctuated significantly over time. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the number of babies named Addie was relatively high, reaching a peak of 836 births in 1920. However, this number began to decline steadily throughout the mid-20th century.
The lowest point for Addie's popularity occurred in 1964, with only 83 births recorded that year. This low point marked the beginning of a slow but steady increase in the use of the name over time. By the early 21st century, the number of babies named Addie had climbed back up to around 200 births per year.
It is interesting to note that despite its fluctuating popularity, the name Addie has consistently been given to between one and two hundred babies each year since the 1970s. This suggests that while it may not be as popular as some other names, Addie remains a well-liked choice for parents in the United States.
Overall, these statistics provide a fascinating glimpse into the changing tastes of American parents over time, and demonstrate how the popularity of certain names can rise and fall over generations.