The name San is of Spanish origin and means "saint." It is often associated with the Spanish word for "st." However, it can also be used as a standalone given name. In Spain, San is commonly used as a shortened form of the given names that start with this syllable, such as Santiago or Salvador.
The use of San as a given name has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among celebrities and their children. For example, actor Matthew McConaughey named his son Livingston "Santi" McConaughey, while singer Shakira named her son Sasha Piqué Mebarak, but often refers to him by the nickname "San."
Despite its origin and meaning, San is not a traditional saint's name. It has been used as a given name for centuries in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, but it is still relatively uncommon compared to other names with similar meanings, such as Santo or Santos.
In conclusion, San is a unique and unconventional given name that has gained popularity in recent years due to its use by celebrities. Its origin and meaning are tied to the Spanish language and culture, making it a distinct choice for parents looking for a memorable name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, the name San has had varying popularity over the years in the United States. Here's a breakdown of its usage:
From 1911 to 1945, the number of births with the name San ranged from as low as 7 to as high as 28 births per year. The most notable increase occurred between 1946 and 1948, with the number of births nearly doubling each year, reaching a peak of 66 births in 1950.
However, after 1950, the popularity of the name San began to decline significantly. Between 1951 and 2007, the annual birth count fluctuated between 5 and 48 births per year. The highest point during this period was in 1954 with 48 births.
From 2000 onwards, the name San has become quite rare, with only 5 births reported each year until 2007. There are no statistics provided for the years between 2008 and 2020, but it is safe to assume that the trend of low popularity continued based on the recent data point of 7 births in 2021.
In total, there were 1863 births with the name San recorded in the United States. While it once enjoyed periods of relative popularity, particularly in the mid-20th century, the name San has since become quite uncommon, with fewer than ten births reported annually in recent years.