Vivian is a unisex given name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "vivus," which means "living" or "life." It is also associated with the Latin phrase "vivia," meaning "full of life." The name Vivian has been used historically for both males and females. In the Middle Ages, it was a popular masculine name in England, often given to boys who were considered to be vibrant or energetic.
The name Vivian gained popularity among women in the late 19th century, likely due to the success of the novel "Vivian Grey" by Benjamin Disraeli, which featured a female character named Vivian. The name continued to grow in popularity for females throughout the 20th century and remains so today.
The name Vivian has also been used as a surname, with early records indicating that it was an occupational name for a vivid or lively person, or possibly a nickname given to someone who was considered full of life.
In literature and popular culture, the name Vivian has been associated with various characters. In addition to the character in Disraeli's novel, other notable examples include Vivian Kirkham from the children's book series "The Boxcar Children" and Vivian Auburn from the television show "Pretty Little Liars." Additionally, the musician Vivien Goldman is known for her punk and post-punk music.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Vivian has seen significant fluctuations in its popularity over the years in the United States.
From 1880 to 1905, the number of births with the name Vivian remained relatively low, fluctuating between 22 and 492 births per year. However, starting from 1906, there was a notable increase in its popularity, with over 500 births per year.
The peak of popularity for the name Vivian occurred around the early to mid-1900s, particularly during World War I. In 1918, there were 3663 births, which is the highest number recorded during this period. This trend continued until the late 1920s, with over 3000 births per year.
After the 1920s, the popularity of the name Vivian began to decline steadily. By the mid-1970s, it had dropped significantly, with fewer than 500 births per year. This trend continued until the late 1980s and early 1990s.
However, in the late 1990s, there was a resurgence in the popularity of the name Vivian. From 1999 to 2009, the number of births with this name increased significantly, reaching a peak of 1964 births in 2009.
Since then, the popularity of the name Vivian has continued to rise, with over 2000 births per year since 2011. In fact, it reached its second-highest recorded number of births in 2023, with 2801 births.
In conclusion, while the name Vivian has seen periods of high and low popularity throughout history, it remains a popular choice for parents in the United States today.