Lomax is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It was popularized by the American author John Kennedy Toole, who gave this name to one of his most famous fictional characters in his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "A Confederacy of Dunces." Prior to this novel's publication, Lomax was not widely known or used as a given name.
The meaning and history of the name Lomax are uncertain, as it is not found in traditional naming resources such as baby name books. However, some sources suggest that Lomax may have originated as an English surname, possibly derived from the Old French word "lume," which means "flame" or "light." Alternatively, Lomax could be a variant of the surname Lumax, which is believed to have been derived from the Old French given name Louis.
Despite its uncertain origins and meaning, Lomax has gained some popularity as a given name in recent years, likely due to its association with John Kennedy Toole's novel. It is currently more commonly used as a middle name rather than a first name, but it remains a unique choice for parents looking for an unusual and distinctive name for their child.
In terms of its sound and feel, Lomax has a strong, rhythmic quality that makes it stand out from more traditional names. Its three syllables create a pleasing rhythm, and its hard consonants give it a masculine and assertive feel. However, as with any name, the appropriateness of Lomax will depend on personal preference and how well it fits with the child's last name and siblings' names.
Overall, Lomax is an unusual and distinctive given name of American origin that has gained some popularity in recent years due to its association with John Kennedy Toole's novel "A Confederacy of Dunces." Its meaning and history are uncertain, but it remains a unique choice for parents looking for an unconventional name for their child.
The given statistics provide insights into the popularity of the name Lomax in the United States between the years 1916 and 1957. During this period, there were a total of 133 babies named Lomax born in the U.S., with the number of births varying from year to year.
The name Lomax reached its peak popularity during the mid-1930s, with 11 births recorded in 1936. This was the highest number of births for this name within the given time frame. Additionally, 1933 and 1947 saw a notable increase in the number of Lomax births, with 10 and 7 respectively.
However, the popularity of the name Lomax seemed to wane over time. From the late 1920s to the mid-1950s, there were only five or fewer births per year for this name. The most recent year in the dataset with available statistics is 1957, which had just five births.
Overall, while Lomax may not have been a ubiquitous name during this period, it does appear to have experienced some ups and downs in popularity over the years.