Charmian is a unique and distinctive feminine given name of Latin origin. The name is derived from the Latin word "carmen," which means "song" or "chant." Therefore, Charmian can be translated as "little song" or "little chant."
The name Charmian first appeared in English literature during the late 19th century, thanks to its use by prominent British author George Meredith. In his novel "The Egoist" published in 1879, Meredith chose Charmian as the given name for one of his main characters, a young woman who is admired for her beauty and intelligence.
Despite its late appearance in literature, the name Charmian has since gained some popularity in English-speaking countries. It is often associated with creativity and artistic expression due to its Latin root meaning "song." However, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other feminine names, making it a unique choice for parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their daughter.
In terms of its usage over time, Charmian has not been particularly popular throughout history. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only 69 babies were named Charmian between 1880 and 2019, with most occurrences appearing during the early-to-mid 20th century.
In summary, Charmian is a rare yet meaningful feminine given name of Latin origin that translates to "little song" or "little chant." Its usage has primarily been influenced by its appearance in literature, particularly through George Meredith's novel "The Egoist." Despite not being widely popular throughout history, this unique name offers an appealing option for parents seeking something distinctive and artistic-sounding for their daughter.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Charmian has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1914 and 2018, there were a total of 473 babies named Charmian at birth.
The name's popularity fluctuated greatly throughout this period. The highest number of births recorded for the name was in 1970, with 18 newborn girls being named Charmian. This could indicate that the name experienced a brief spike in popularity during this decade.
Conversely, there were periods where the name's popularity significantly declined. For instance, from 1954 to 1963, there was only one recorded birth for each of those years. This suggests that during these years, the name Charmian was not widely chosen as a baby girl's name.
Overall, while the name Charmian has not been among the most popular choices in the United States over the past century, it has still been given to several hundred babies during this time period. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed, with periods of relative obscurity interspersed with years where it was chosen for a notable number of newborn girls.
It's important to note that these statistics do not reflect recent trends in naming preferences, as the most recent data point is from 2018. Additionally, these figures only represent births registered in the United States and may not account for babies born abroad but with American citizenship or parentage. Despite these limitations, this information provides a historical snapshot of how the name Charmian has been used over time.
Sources:
- Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Baby Names. Retrieved from