Vivien is a name of Latin origin that has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. The name comes from the Latin word "vivus," which means "alive" or "living." In Roman times, Vivien was often given to children born around the winter solstice as it was believed that these babies were born with extra strength and vitality to survive the harshest season.
The name Vivien has a rich history in literature. It is the name of a character in the Arthurian legend "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," where Vivien is a powerful enchantress who helps King Arthur's knights on their quests. In Charlotte Brontë's novel "Jane Eyre," the protagonist has a cousin named John Reed, whose nickname is "Bloozer" or "Vivien." The name has also been used in several other works of literature throughout history.
Today, Vivien remains a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child. Its Latin origins give it a classic feel while its connection to powerful literary characters adds an air of sophistication. Whether given as a boy's or girl's name, Vivien is sure to make a strong impression wherever it is heard.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Vivien has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States.
The earliest data available dates back to 1885 with a total of 5 births recorded that year. The number fluctuated throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ranging from as low as 7 births in 1902 to as high as 66 births in 1911.
The peak of Vivien's popularity occurred between 1940 and 1952. In 1940 alone, there were 148 births, which is the highest number recorded for any single year during this period. This trend continued with a total of 93 births in 1941, 61 in 1942, and 50 in both 1943 and 1944.
After World War II, Vivien's popularity declined. Between 1953 and 1967, the number of births ranged from a low of 20 in 1963 to a high of 38 in 1957. This downward trend continued through the 1970s with numbers ranging from as low as 8 births in both 1976 and 1978, to a slight increase of 20 births in 1979.
Starting from the late 1980s, there has been an upward trend. The number of Vivien births rose steadily from 23 in 1990 to 49 in 1996, 91 in 2004, and peaked at 248 in 2014.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Vivien has stabilized around the mid-100s to high-200s mark annually. For example, there were 219 births in 2017, 193 in 2019, and 155 in 2021.
Overall, while Vivien has not been among the top choices for parents over the past century, it has maintained a steady presence with several peaks of popularity during different eras.