The name Ovis is of Latin origin and means "sheep". It is derived from the Latin word "ovis", which refers to a sheep or goat. The name has been used historically as a given name, but it is more commonly encountered today as a surname.
In ancient Rome, ovis was often used to refer to a young girl who was considered pure and innocent, like a lamb. This association gave rise to the use of Ovis as a female given name in some Roman families.
Throughout history, the name Ovis has been associated with various notable individuals. One example is Saint Ovis, a Christian martyr who was executed during the persecutions of Diocletian in the 3rd century AD. Today, Ovis is occasionally used as a male or female given name, but it remains relatively rare compared to many other names.
In some cultures, such as those found in Latin America and Spain, Ovis may be associated with religious celebrations related to the Virgin Mary or various saints named Ovis or Ovila. However, this connection does not seem to have significantly influenced the use of the name outside of these cultural contexts.
Overall, while Ovis is a name with an interesting historical background and unique meaning, its use as a given name remains quite limited today compared to many other names.
"Ovis is a rare name in the United States, with only five babies given this name each year in 1916. Since then, its popularity has remained consistently low, with no significant spikes or trends in its usage over time."