Vasco is a charming and distinctive name of Spanish origin. It comes from the Basque language, where it means "from the region of Basques." The Basques are an ethnic group who inhabit the Basque Country in Spain and southwestern France.
The name Vasco has a rich history, dating back to ancient times when it was used by various notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of this name is Ferdinand Magellan's navigator, Vasco da Gama. Born into a noble family in Portugal, Vasco da Gama set sail on a voyage around Africa's Cape of Good Hope in 1497, becoming the first European to reach India by sea. This historic journey opened up new trade routes and solidified Portugal's power as a global maritime force.
In addition to its historical significance, Vasco has also been popularized in literature and arts throughout history. It appears as a character name in several works, such as "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, where Vasco is one of the squires serving under the Knight of La Mancha.
Today, Vasco remains an uncommon yet captivating choice for parents seeking a unique name with deep roots and historical significance. It's also quite versatile, as it can be paired with various middle names or shortened to Vaska or Vas for a more casual feel. Despite its rarity, Vasco is sure to make a lasting impression wherever it's heard.
The name Vasco has been given to a total of 492 babies born in the United States over the course of many years, according to available statistics. The popularity of this name has varied significantly over time.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can see that the highest number of births with the name Vasco occurred in 1916, with 18 babies being named Vasco that year. This was a significant increase from previous years and suggests that there may have been some specific cultural or historical event that contributed to this peak.
However, after this high point, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. By 1930, there were only 8 births with the name Vasco, and this trend continued until the middle of the century. From 1952 onwards, the number of babies named Vasco remained consistently low, with an average of around 5-6 births per year.
It wasn't until the late 1990s that there was a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Vasco, with 7 births recorded in both 1997 and 2003. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with peaks of 8 births in 2004, 9 births in 2005, and 10 births in both 2008 and 2009.
More recently, however, the popularity of the name Vasco has decreased once again. Between 2016 and 2023, there have been an average of around 6 births per year with this name.
Overall, while the name Vasco has not been incredibly popular in the United States over the past century, it has still been given to a significant number of babies. The popularity of the name has varied significantly over time, with peaks occurring occasionally followed by periods of decline. Despite these fluctuations, the name Vasco remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for an uncommon name for their child.