Alfons is a masculine given name of German origin, derived from the Germanic element "adal" meaning "noble" and "fulcon" meaning "kings". The name was brought to Spain by the Visigoths in the 5th century AD and became popular among the nobility. It was borne by several medieval kings of León and Castile, including Alfons I (1042-1109) who is known for his military campaigns against the Moors and his support of learning and culture.
The name Alfons has been used in various forms throughout history, including Alfonso in Spain, Alphonse in France, and Alfred in England. Today, it is still used as a given name but is less common than it once was. Despite its historical significance, Alfons does not have any specific meaning or association with holidays or personality traits beyond its etymological roots in nobility and kingship.
In literature and popular culture, Alfons has been the name of several notable figures, including Alfons Karr, a French journalist and poet, and Alfons Maria Ficky, a German actor. However, it is not as widely recognized as some other historical names like George or William. Overall, Alfons is an uncommon but historically significant name with a meaning rooted in nobility and kingship.
The name Alfons appears to have been quite popular around the early 20th century, with a peak of popularity between 1917 and 1928. During this period, there were consistently high numbers of births each year, ranging from a low of 15 in 1921 to a high of 32 in 1919. However, after the late 1920s, the popularity of the name began to decline significantly, with fewer than 12 births per year recorded from 1929 onwards. By the mid-to-late 20th century, the name had become quite rare, with only a handful of births reported each year between 1949 and 1969. Overall, there were a total of 441 children named Alfons born over this period.