Anselm is a unique and historic masculine given name of Germanic origin. Its etymology stems from the Old High German words "ans" meaning "god" and "helm" signifying "helmet." Therefore, Anselm translates to "God's helmet," suggesting divine protection or guardianship.
The name Anselm was borne by several notable historical figures. One of the most renowned was Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), a Benedictine monk, philosopher, theologian, and Archbishop of Canterbury. He is revered as a saint in both the Catholic and Anglican churches. His contributions to medieval philosophy and theology have made him one of the most influential figures in intellectual history.
In literature, Anselm was the name chosen by Victor Hugo for the hero in his 1862 novel "Les Misérables." This further popularized the name, particularly in France.
Despite its rich historical background and unique meaning, Anselm remains relatively rare today as a given name. It offers an appealing alternative for parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful moniker for their sons.
The name Anselm has been given to a total of 288 babies in the United States over the past century, with birth years ranging from 1912 to 2023. While it may not be as common as some other names, it has seen periods of popularity throughout this time frame.
The name was particularly popular during the early to mid-20th century, with notable spikes in births occurring in the 1920s and 1950s. During these decades, there were years where more than eight babies were named Anselm, indicating that it was relatively common at those times.
However, the name has also seen periods of decline in popularity. For instance, between 1942 and 1949, there were only three births recorded for the name Anselm, with each year having five births or fewer. This suggests that during this time, parents may have been opting for different names.
More recently, the name Anselm has seen a resurgence in popularity. Since 2005, there have been ten or more births each year, with peaks occurring in 2008 (11 births) and 2020 (10 births). This trend suggests that parents today may be drawn to unique, classic names like Anselm.
Overall, while the name Anselm has not consistently been one of the most popular choices for parents in the United States over the past century, it has maintained a steady presence with periods of notable popularity. It will be interesting to see how its popularity continues to evolve in the coming years.