Coolidge is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the surname Coolidge, which is believed to have been brought to America by early English settlers. The surname Coolidge is thought to be an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name Mac Ghille Chaluim, which means "son of the servant of St. Columba." However, it is important to note that the given name Coolidge does not directly relate to this Gaelic meaning.
The name Coolidge first gained prominence in American politics with the election of Calvin Coolidge as the 30th President of the United States in 1923. Born on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Coolidge rose through the ranks of the Republican Party to become Vice President under Warren G. Harding in 1921. Upon Harding's death in 1923, Coolidge assumed the presidency and was later elected in his own right in 1924.
Despite its political association, the name Coolidge did not experience a significant increase in popularity during or after Calvin Coolidge's time in office. According to data from the Social Security Administration, the name Coolidge has consistently ranked below the top 1000 most popular boys' names in the United States since records began being kept in the late 19th century.
Today, the name Coolidge remains a rare and unique choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child. Its American roots and historic significance make it an interesting option for those who wish to honor their country's past or simply choose a name that stands out from more common options. However, it is important to note that the meaning of Coolidge as a given name does not directly relate to its original Gaelic meaning as a surname.
In conclusion, Coolidge is a rare and distinctive given name of American origin. While it does not have a direct translation or specific meaning, its historic association with Calvin Coolidge makes it an interesting choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child. Despite its political roots, the name Coolidge has never experienced significant popularity as a given name in the United States, making it a unique option even today.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Coolidge has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States.
In the early 1920s, there was a steady increase in babies named Coolidge, with eight births recorded in 1920 and ten in 1921. This number more than doubled by 1923, reaching forty-six births that year. The popularity of the name continued to grow in the following years, peaking at eighty-two births in 1924. However, it seems that this peak was short-lived as there was a significant drop to seventy-seven births in 1925.
The trend of fluctuating popularity continued throughout the decade. After a brief increase to forty births in 1926, the number of Coolidge births fell again to thirty-three in 1927 and twelve in 1928. There was another minor uptick with fifteen births in 1929.
After this point, there is a gap in the data until 1932, where we see six births that year. It's unclear what happened between 1929 and 1932, but it seems likely that the name's popularity continued to decline during this period.
The statistics pick up again in the late 1940s and early 1950s. There were five births each year from 1947 to 1952, with a brief spike to six births in 1950. The trend continued with another six births in 1954 and five in 1956.
Overall, while the name Coolidge has seen periods of popularity over the years, it does not appear to have been a consistent top choice among parents in the United States. It will be interesting to see how its popularity evolves in the coming decades.