Tove is a Scandinavian girl's name of Finnish origin. It is derived from the Finnish word "tuvan," which means "to revolve" or "to whirl." The name Tove has been popular in Scandinavia for many years, particularly in Sweden and Finland.
The most famous bearer of the name Tove was Tove Jansson, a Finnish-Swedish author and illustrator best known for creating the Moomins, a series of books that have become beloved children's classics around the world. Jansson herself was born with the name Tove Marika Christina Jansson in 1914 and went on to become a highly acclaimed writer and artist.
The name Tove has also been used by other notable figures throughout history. In Denmark, there was a Queen consort named Tove, who was married to King Christian IV in the 17th century. Meanwhile, in Sweden, there was a famous opera singer named Tova Norberg, who performed extensively during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, while the name Tove may not be as well-known outside of Scandinavia, it has a rich history and heritage that spans centuries and cultures. Its meaning, which refers to movement and rotation, gives it a dynamic and energetic quality that has likely contributed to its enduring popularity in the region.
The name Tove has seen a varied but steady presence in the United States over the past century, with a total of 248 babies given this unique name since 1930.
In the early years, from 1930 to 1959, there were fewer than ten births each year. However, there was a notable spike in popularity in 1961 and 1963, with eight and nine births respectively. This trend continued into the mid-1970s, with consistent numbers of around five to seven births annually.
The 1980s saw a slight decline in Tove's popularity, with five or six births each year. However, starting from the late 1990s up until recently, there has been a steady increase in its usage. From 2015 onwards, the number of births with this name has doubled every few years, reaching an all-time high of twenty births in both 2022 and 2023.
This data suggests that while Tove may not have been one of the most popular names historically, it has experienced a significant resurgence in recent years. This trend could indicate that more parents are looking for unique but meaningful names for their children, as Tove offers both distinctiveness and a strong cultural heritage behind it.