Juliet is a feminine given name of Latin origin, meaning "youthful" or "downy one". It comes from the Latin word "iulus", which means "junior" or "young one". The name Juliet was popularized in English-speaking countries by William Shakespeare's tragic play "Romeo and Juliet", written around 1597. In the story, Juliet is the female lead who falls in love with Romeo Montague despite their families being sworn enemies. Although the character of Juliet was not based on a real person, her tale has captivated audiences for centuries, making the name Juliet synonymous with romance and tragedy. Throughout history, notable individuals named Juliet include Juliet Prowse (an American actress and dancer), Juliet Bravo (a British police drama series), and Juliet, Countess of Wessex (a member of the British royal family). Despite its tragic associations, the name Juliet remains a popular choice for parents due to its sweet sound and classical origins.
The statistic provided illustrates the number of babies named Juliet born annually in the United States from 1880 to 2023. The data shows a significant increase in popularity over time, with a consistent rise starting around the mid-20th century.
From 1880 to 1950, the number of annual births with the name Juliet fluctuated between single digits and low double digits. However, beginning in 1953, there was a notable increase, with over 100 births per year for the first time. This trend continued throughout the remainder of the century, reaching over 200 births annually by 1969.
The popularity of the name Juliet peaked between 2007 and 2014, during which period there were consistently over 1,000 births per year. Since then, while still popular, its popularity has somewhat decreased, with around 1,000 births annually as of 2023.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the growing popularity of the name Juliet in the United States over the past century, particularly from the mid-20th century onwards. Despite some fluctuations and recent decreases in popularity, it remains a well-loved choice for parents today.