Granville is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. Its meaning and history are deeply rooted in the Norman conquest of England in 1066.
The name Granville originates from the French town of Granville, which is located in the Normandy region of France. The town was founded by the Viking chieftain Rollo, who later became the first Duke of Normandy in the late 10th century. Over time, the town became known as Granville due to its strategic importance and wealth.
The name Granville became popular among the English nobility after the Norman Conquest, when many Norman nobles accompanied William the Conqueror to England and settled there. These nobles brought with them their French names and traditions, including Granville.
In English, the name Granville is often associated with the Granville family, who were prominent members of the British aristocracy for several centuries. The Earls of Granville, a title created in 1786, are descended from the same Norman nobles who settled in England after the conquest.
Throughout history, the name Granville has been borne by many notable individuals, including politicians, scientists, and artists. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Granville Leveson-Gower, the 2nd Earl Granville, who served as a British Foreign Secretary in the late 19th century.
Today, Granville remains a rare but distinctive given name, often chosen by parents looking for a unique and historical name for their child. Its meaning and history make it a name with a rich and storied past, tied to some of the most important events and figures in British history.
Based on the statistics provided, the popularity of the name Granville has fluctuated significantly over time in the United States.
In the late 19th century, from 1880 to 1900, there were between 6 and 30 births with the name Granville each year. The peak was reached in 1892 with 30 births, while the lowest point occurred in 1874 with only 6 births.
The first decade of the 20th century saw a decline in popularity, with fewer than 50 births per year on average. However, starting from 1911, there was a noticeable increase, with over 38 births each year until the early 1920s.
Between 1924 and 1950, Granville remained moderately popular, with around 37 to 81 births per year. This trend continued into the late 1960s, but after that, there was a significant decrease in popularity.
From 1970 onwards, fewer than 30 babies were named Granville each year on average. The highest point during this period occurred in 1973 with 37 births, while the lowest point was reached in 2015 with only 5 births.
Over the entire period from 1880 to 2020, a total of 5491 babies were named Granville in the United States. These statistics demonstrate that while Granville has been a relatively uncommon name throughout history, it has still maintained some level of popularity over time.