Drusilla is a unique and captivating name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Roman gens, or family, known as Drusiilae, which was quite prominent during the Roman Empire's early history.
The name Drusilla itself means "daughter of Drusus," with Drusus being another Roman nomen (a type of family name) that translates to "firm" or "strong." Therefore, the name Drusilla could be interpreted as conveying a sense of strength and steadfastness.
Historically, one notable figure associated with this name is Drusilla, who was a daughter of Herod Agrippa I, an Idumean king under Roman rule in the early 1st century AD. Drusilla was known for converting to Judaism from her initial Greek beliefs, and she played a significant role in the spread of Judaism among Romans.
In literature, there is also a character named Drusilla in John Webster's tragic play "The Duchess of Malfi," first performed around 1623. This Drusilla is portrayed as a virtuous sister to the protagonist, the Duchess of Malfi herself.
While Drusilla may not be among the most commonly used names today, its rich historical and cultural significance makes it an intriguing choice for those seeking a unique and meaningful name with Latin roots.
Based on the statistical data provided, we can observe the trends and fluctuations in the number of births given the name Drusilla in the United States over time.
From 1880 to around the mid-1950s, the number of births with the name Drusilla varied quite a bit year by year. Some years saw more than ten babies named Drusilla, while others saw fewer than five. The highest recorded birth count during this period was 20 births in 1909.
However, starting from the late 1950s until the early 1970s, there seemed to be a steady decline in the number of newborn girls named Drusilla each year. This trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with fewer than ten births annually.
Interestingly, since around the mid-1990s until recent years, the number of babies named Drusilla has shown some fluctuations but generally seems to have stabilized at around five to ten births per year. The most recent data available shows that there were 8 births in 2023.
In total, over the entire period from 1880 to 2023, there have been a total of 2923 babies named Drusilla born in the United States. This statistic provides insight into the relative popularity and enduring presence of this name among parents choosing names for their daughters throughout different eras in American history.
It is essential to note that while these statistics show trends over time, they do not reflect individual preferences or reasons behind naming a child Drusilla. Each parent's decision to give their daughter this name is unique and personal, contributing to the overall data we observe here.