Euphemia is a unique and elegant given name of Greek origin. The name Euphemia is derived from the Greek words "eu" meaning "good" or "well", and "pheme" which means "reputation". Therefore, Euphemia translates to "good reputation".
The name Euphemia has a rich history in Christianity. Saint Euphemia was a martyr who lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. She was known for her strong faith and courage, refusing to denounce her beliefs despite facing torture and imprisonment. Ultimately, she was executed for her faith around 303 AD.
The name Euphemia was popularized in Scotland by Saint Ninian, a British missionary who is said to have brought Christianity to the region. He named his niece Euphemia after Saint Euphemia of Chalcedon, making it a popular choice among Scottish Christians.
Euphemia has been used as a given name for centuries and can be found in various spellings such as Eupheme, Euphamia, and Euphenia. Today, it remains relatively rare but continues to be chosen by parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Euphemia in the United States, it is clear that while it was once a popular choice among parents in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its popularity has significantly decreased over time.
During the peak years of 1898 to 1923, there were consistently around 15 to 20 births each year. However, after the 1920s, the number of babies named Euphemia started to decline rapidly, with only a few births occurring annually in the mid-20th century.
Interestingly, despite its rarity in recent decades, the name Euphemia has seen a slight resurgence since around 2015. There were 9 births in 2015, and this number has continued to increase, with 17 births recorded in 2023. This suggests that while it may not be as popular as it once was, the name Euphemia is still being chosen by some parents for their daughters.
Overall, these statistics show how the popularity of names can change over time and how even rare names like Euphemia can experience periods of resurgence in modern times.