Erastus is a unique and uncommon male given name of Latin origin. Its meaning can be interpreted in two ways: "eager" or "favored by Mars". Mars was the Roman god of war, so Erastus could also mean "beloved by Mars".
The name Erastus has its roots in ancient Rome, where it was likely used as a family name rather than a personal one. It is believed to have been derived from the Latin word "erastes", which means "lover" or "admirer". This term was used to refer to a lover who was openly and actively pursuing someone else.
In the New Testament of the Bible, there is also a mention of an individual named Erastus. He is described as a city treasurer in Corinth, Greece (Romans 16:23). This biblical reference may have contributed to the preservation and continued use of the name Erastus over time.
Despite its ancient origins and interesting history, Erastus remains quite rare today. It is not typically found within the top 1000 most popular names in any English-speaking country. However, its unique sound and rich historical background make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their son.
The given statistics show the number of babies named Erastus born in the United States each year from 1880 to 1957. Over this period of nearly 80 years, there were a total of 407 births.
The name Erastus appears to have been more popular during certain decades than others. For instance, between 1912 and 1923, there were consistently around 10-20 babies named Erastus born each year, with peaks in 1915 (21 births) and 1916 (23 births). This could suggest that the name was particularly fashionable among parents during this time.
However, after the late 1920s, the popularity of the name Erastus declined significantly. From 1930 onwards, there were fewer than 10 babies named Erastus born each year, with several years having only 5 or 6 births. The latest year for which data is provided is 1957, when there was just one baby named Erastus born in the United States.
Overall, while Erastus was once a reasonably popular name in the U.S., it appears to have fallen out of favor over time, with fewer parents choosing this name for their children in recent decades.