Casilda is a unique and distinctive given name of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Basque word 'Gaztelu', which means 'castle'. Therefore, Casilda can be interpreted as 'little castle' or 'fortress'.
The name Casilda has a fascinating history behind it. According to legend, Casilda was a noblewoman who lived in Toledo, Spain during the 12th century. She was known for her exceptional beauty and virtue, which attracted many suitors seeking her hand in marriage. However, Casilda remained devoted to her faith and refused all proposals, choosing instead to live a life of piety and charity.
One day, Casilda encountered a Muslim slave who had been abandoned by his owner. Moved with compassion, she took him in and cared for him until he was free from slavery. This act of kindness led to many miracles being attributed to her, including the reputed story that when she was falsely accused of adultery and sentenced to death, angels appeared to defend her innocence.
Casilda is not a common name today, but it has been used in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries for centuries. It is often associated with the legendary Casilda of Toledo, who is venerated as a saint by some denominations of Christianity. The name Casilda is also linked to the legend of the 'Seven Sleepers of Ephesus', a story found in both Christian and Islamic tradition about seven young men who fell asleep during a persecution and woke up centuries later.
In literature, Casilda appears as a character in the play 'Casilda' by the English playwright W.S. Gilbert, which is part of his comic opera 'The Gondoliers'. In this work, Casilda is a princess who disguises herself as a gondolier to win the love of her true heart's desire.
Overall, Casilda is an uncommon yet captivating name with a rich history and significant cultural significance. Its unique origin and association with legends of virtue and miracles make it a notable choice for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.
The given statistics illustrate the frequency of the name Casilda among newborns in the United States over several years. The data spans from 1915 to 2023, with noticeable fluctuations in popularity.
Throughout this period, there have been a total of 167 babies named Casilda born in the U.S. The highest peaks in popularity occurred in the mid-20th century, particularly in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with six births occurring annually between 1957 and 1960.
Interestingly, there was a resurgence of the name's usage in recent years, with seven babies named Casilda born in 1980 and five in 1981. After a significant decrease in popularity throughout the late 20th century and early 21st century, there was another notable increase in 2023, with six babies being given this name.
While it's difficult to draw definitive conclusions about trends based on such small numbers, these statistics suggest that Casilda has experienced periods of relative popularity over time, particularly during the mid-century period and most recently in the early 1980s and 2023.