Faustina is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman gens Faustinus. The gens Faustinus was an ancient patrician family that traced its lineage back to the Sabine period. The name Faustinus itself is thought to have been derived from the Latin word "faustus," meaning "favored by fortune" or "lucky."
The name Faustina first appears in history with Annia Aurelia Faustina, who was the daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and his wife Annia Galeria Faustina Major. She later married Marcus Aurelius, who would go on to become emperor himself. Their two daughters were also named Faustina - Annia Faustina Major and Annia Faustina Minor.
Throughout history, the name Faustina has been used in various cultures and languages. In Italy, for example, Faustina is considered a traditional name with historical roots. In Spain, it is also popular and has several variants such as Fausta and Faustina.
In literature, Faustina appears as a character in works like "The Memoirs of a Survivor" by Doris Lessing and "Faustina: The Story of an African Girl" by Flora Nwapa. This shows how the name has transcended its historical roots to become associated with diverse characters and stories across different cultures.
Overall, Faustina is an attractive feminine given name that carries a rich history dating back to ancient Rome. Its meaning, "favored by fortune," adds to its appeal as it signifies good luck and favor. Despite its historical significance, Faustina remains relatively uncommon today, making it a unique choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Faustina has been given to a total of 1758 babies in the United States over the years, with birth counts ranging from a single digit to as high as 36 in recent years.
Looking at the data from 1890 onwards, we can observe that the number of births with the name Faustina fluctuated quite a bit during the early to mid-20th century. There were peaks in popularity during certain periods, such as between 1914 and 1924, where the birth count ranged from 20 to 38. However, there were also significant drops in popularity, with some years seeing fewer than 10 births.
In more recent times, starting around the late 1990s, we see a resurgence in the popularity of the name Faustina. Since 1998, the birth count has consistently been in double digits, reaching a high of 36 in 2020. This suggests that Faustina is currently experiencing a period of increased popularity as a baby girl's name in the United States.
Overall, while Faustina may not have been one of the most commonly used names throughout history, it has maintained a steady presence and has seen periods of increased popularity. It will be interesting to see how its popularity trends in the coming years.