Cherie is a girl's name of French origin that means "darling" or "dear". It was derived from the French word "chéri(e)", which can be used to address someone in an affectionate manner. The name Cherie has been used for centuries in France and other Francophone countries, but it gained popularity as a given name in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century.
The earliest known use of the name Cherie was in France during the Middle Ages, where it was often used as a term of endearment rather than a given name. However, by the 18th and 19th centuries, Cherie began to appear more frequently as a given name in France and other French-speaking regions.
In English-speaking countries, Cherie became popular during the mid-20th century, likely due to its charming and endearing meaning. Today, it is still considered a somewhat unusual but endearing choice for a girl's name.
Some famous people named Cherie include Cherie Blair (née Booth), the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Cherie Lunghi, an English actress known for her role in the film "The Name of the Rose".
The name Cherie has had a fascinating journey through time in the United States, as reflected in its annual birth statistics from 1910 to 2023.
From 1910 to the early 1950s, the popularity of the name Cherie ebbed and flowed. It started with just five births in 1910, reaching a peak of 628 births in 1955, showing a steady increase over time. This trend continued into the late 1960s, with the highest point being 1,002 births in 1970.
However, beginning in the mid-1970s, there was a notable decrease in the number of newborn girls named Cherie. The peak of 1,002 births in 1970 was followed by a decline to just 62 births in 1995, marking a significant drop in popularity.
This downward trend continued into the early 2000s, with only 31 births recorded in 2000. However, since then, there has been a slight resurgence in the use of the name Cherie. Between 2008 and 2019, the number of newborn girls named Cherie ranged from 22 to 41 each year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Cherie has continued to fluctuate but remains relatively stable. In 2022, there were nine births recorded for the name Cherie, and in 2023, there were ten, demonstrating that while it may not be as popular as it once was, the name still holds some appeal.
Overall, the name Cherie has seen significant changes in popularity throughout its history in the United States. While it started strong in the early 1900s and peaked in the mid-20th century, it experienced a decline from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. However, there has been a recent stabilization in popularity, with a consistent number of newborn girls receiving the name Cherie each year since the late 2000s.