The name Fotios is of Greek origin and it means "enlightened" or "illuminated". It is derived from the Greek word 'phos' which means light. The name has been used historically in Greece, particularly among Orthodox Christians who have traditionally named their children after saints.
Fotios was a popular name among early Christian martyrs and saints, including Saint Fotios of Nicaea who was beheaded for his faith during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century. Another notable figure with this name is Saint Fotios of Trebizond, a bishop who lived in the 9th century.
In modern times, the name Fotios continues to be used in Greece and among Greek Orthodox communities around the world. While it may not be as common as some other Greek names such as George or Andrew, it remains a traditional and meaningful choice for parents looking for a unique and historic name with deep roots in Greek culture and history.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Fotios has had a varied but relatively low number of births annually in the United States over the years. The earliest recorded birth year is 1969 with 9 occurrences. This was followed by consistent yet decreasing numbers from 1970 to 1975, ranging between 5 and 6 births per year.
There was a slight increase in popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with peaks of 8 births in 1977 and 1978, and another 8 births in 1981. However, the trend decreased again in the following years, with only 6 births recorded in 1983.
The name Fotios experienced a gap in usage from 1984 to 2008, as no data is provided for these years. It re-emerged in 2009 with 5 births, followed by another 6 births in 2010. Overall, the total number of births with the name Fotios in the United States from 1969 to 2010 is 88.