Anthony is a name of Latin origin that means "highly praiseworthy" or "priceless." It is derived from the Roman family name Antonius, which was popular among ancient Romans due to its association with the Emperor Augustus' adoptive father, Marcus Antonius.
The name Anthony has been used throughout history by many notable figures. One of the most famous Anthonys was Saint Anthony of Padua, a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar who lived in the 13th century. He was known for his powerful preaching and is now considered the patron saint of lost items. Another notable Anthony was Anthony van Dyck, a Flemish painter from the Baroque period whose work greatly influenced art history.
The name Anthony has also been popular among various cultures throughout history. In the United States, it ranked among the top 100 most popular boy names for much of the 20th century and continues to be widely used today.
In literature and pop culture, Anthony has been featured prominently in works such as "Anthony Adverse," a novel by Hervey Allen, and "The Odd Couple," a play by Neil Simon. Additionally, several famous people have borne this name, including actors Anthony Hopkins and Anthony Perkins, musician Antony Hegarty (of the band Antony and the Johnsons), and politician Anthony Eden.
Overall, Anthony is a name with rich historical roots and widespread cultural appeal. Its meaning, "highly praiseworthy," makes it a positive and complimentary choice for a child's name.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe the fluctuations in the number of newborns named Anthony in the United States over several decades.
From 1955 to 1968, there was a relatively consistent number of births each year, ranging from a low of 6 births in 1971 to a high of 18 births in 1963 and 1961. However, starting in the late 1960s, we begin to see a significant decrease in the popularity of this name. Between 1969 and 1985, there were only two years (1972 and 1974) where more than ten babies named Anthony were born.
Interestingly, from 1985 onwards, there is another increase in the number of newborns named Anthony, with several years seeing over ten births each year. This trend continues until around the early 2000s when the popularity of the name begins to decline again, as indicated by the low numbers seen in the years 2001 and 2004.
Overall, while there have been fluctuations in the number of newborns named Anthony over time, it remains a popular choice among parents across several decades.