Douglass is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Douglas, which itself originates from the Scottish place name Douglas in the southwestern part of Scotland. The name Douglas is believed to have been first used as a given name by prominent African-American abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery with the name "Frederick Bailey" but adopted the name "Douglass" when he escaped slavery and published his autobiography in 1845.
The meaning of the name Douglass is not definitively known, although there are a few theories. One theory suggests that it may be derived from the Gaelic words "dubh" and "glas," which mean "black" and "green" respectively, and could refer to the dark, wooded lands around the Douglas estate in Scotland. Another theory proposes that it is derived from the Old English word "duguð," meaning "valiant warrior."
The name Douglass has a rich history in American culture. Frederick Douglass, whose birth name was actually "Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey," adopted the surname "Douglass" as part of his new identity after escaping slavery and becoming an abolitionist speaker and writer. His autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave," is considered one of the most influential works in American literature and played a significant role in the abolitionist movement.
Today, Douglass is still used as a given name, although it remains relatively rare compared to other names. It is often associated with strength, intellect, and social justice due to its historical connection to Frederick Douglass. Overall, Douglass is a distinctive and meaningful name with a rich history that continues to inspire people today.
Based on the provided statistics, we can analyze the popularity of the name Douglass in the United States from 1883 to 2019.
The name Douglass first appeared in the U.S. Social Security records in 1883 with a total of 6 births that year. In the following years, its popularity varied:
* From 1888 to 1946, there was a consistent increase in the number of newborns named Douglass.
* The peak occurred in 1942 with 116 births, followed by another peak in 1949 with 132 births.
* From 1950 onwards, the popularity of the name started to decline gradually. By 1976, it had decreased significantly, with only 46 births recorded that year.
The declining trend continued throughout the late 20th century:
* In 1983, there were still 54 births named Douglass.
* However, by 1993, this number had fallen to just 26 births.
* From 1997 onwards, the name became even less common:
+ Only 15 births in 1998,
+ 10 births in 2004,
+ And fewer than 10 births every year from 2005 to 2016.
* Despite its decreased popularity, there were still some years with a slight increase in births named Douglass: 11 in 2007 and 9 in both 2011 and 2012.
In conclusion, the name Douglass experienced periods of growth and decline over the past century. Its peak popularity was reached in the mid-20th century, with a total of 5,762 births recorded between 1883 and 2019. Although its popularity has significantly decreased since then, it remains an uncommon yet unique name choice for parents today.