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 has a rich history of usage in the United States, with the first recorded birth occurring in 1900. Over the next two decades, its popularity fluctuated, with between five and thirty-two births per year.
The peak years for the name Alfons were between 1915 and 1923, during which time there were consistently more than twenty births each year. The highest number of births recorded in a single year was thirty-two in 1919.
After 1923, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. Between 1924 and 1969, there were fewer than twenty births each year, with most years seeing between five and ten births.
Despite this decline in popularity, Alfons has remained a consistent presence in the United States, with at least one birth recorded every decade from the 1900s to the 1960s. Overall, there have been a total of 441 births recorded for the name Alfons in the United States since 1900.
While the name may not be as popular today as it once was, its history reflects a long-standing tradition of usage in the United States.