Nelcie is a unique and beautiful name of French origin. It is derived from the French word "nacre," which means mother-of-pearl. This name has a rich history and cultural significance in France.
The name Nelcie was popularized by French author Alphonse Daudet, who used it as the protagonist's name in his novel "Le Petit Chose" published in 1868. The character Nelcie is a young boy with a vibrant imagination who lives in the countryside with his mother and sister. The novel explores themes of childhood innocence, poverty, and the beauty of nature.
Despite its origins as a male name, Nelcie has become more commonly used for girls in recent years. This shift may be attributed to its delicate sound and association with the enchanting qualities of mother-of-pearl.
In terms of its meaning, Nelcie embodies the essence of elegance, uniqueness, and beauty found in nature's creations. It is a name that encourages imagination and appreciates the simple joys in life.
Today, Nelcie remains a rare and distinctive name, perfect for those looking to give their child an uncommon yet meaningful moniker with a rich history behind it.
The statistics for the name Nelsie in the United States show a varied pattern of usage over the past century. The name first appeared in the records in 1912 with seven births that year. It reached its peak popularity in 1915 with twelve births, indicating that there was a brief period where this name was favored by parents.
However, after 1916, the number of babies named Nelsie began to decline, with only nine births recorded that year. This trend continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with the highest number of births being eight in 1932 and the lowest five in both 1930 and 1931.
There was a slight increase in popularity again in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with nine births recorded in 1937. However, this did not last long, as only five babies were named Nelsie in both 1947 and 2006.
Overall, while Nelsie has been a relatively uncommon name in the United States throughout history, there have been periods where it gained some popularity. With a total of 120 births recorded over the years, it is clear that this name has been chosen by parents for their children on occasion.