Eugenie is a name of Greek origin, derived from the word "eugenes," which means "well-born" or "noble." This name has been used throughout history and has been associated with several notable figures.
The most famous historical figure named Eugenie was Eugénie de Montijo (1826-1920), a Spanish noblewoman who became the Empress of France when she married Napoleon III in 1853. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, and influence over her husband's political decisions.
Another notable figure with the name Eugenie is Saint Eugenia of Rome (died c. AD 303), who was a Christian martyr during the Roman Empire. According to legend, she converted to Christianity after having a vision of Christ, which caused her to reject her intended marriage. She was eventually tortured and beheaded for refusing to renounce her faith.
In literature, Eugenie appears as a character in several works. In Alexandre Dumas' historical novel "The Count of Monte Cristo," Eugenie is the name of one of the main characters, the daughter of the protagonist's former friend. Additionally, in George Sand's novel "Consuelo," the main character has a sister named Eugenie.
Overall, the name Eugenie has been used throughout history and has been associated with several notable figures, from Spanish empresses to Christian martyrs to literary characters. Its Greek origins give it a classic and timeless feel, while its meaning of "well-born" or "noble" adds to its elegance and sophistication.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Eugenie has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States. The number of births with this name started off high in the late 19th century, with a peak of 7 births in 1880 and 16 births in 1881.
The popularity of the name Eugenie then fluctuated throughout the early to mid-20th century. There were periods where the number of births with this name increased significantly, such as between 1912 and 1917 (ranging from 38 to 66 births per year), and between 1945 and 1953 (ranging from 36 to 60 births per year). However, there were also periods where the name's popularity decreased notably, like between 1923 and 1932 (ranging from 23 to 48 births per year), and after 1975 (typically below 15 births per year).
In recent years, the name Eugenie has experienced a resurgence in popularity. After reaching a low of just 6 births in 2003, the number of annual births with this name has steadily increased since then, reaching 12 births in both 2019 and 2022. This suggests that while Eugenie may not be one of the most popular names today, it continues to hold a place among parents' preferences for their children's names.
In total, over the years from 1880 to 2022, there have been 3402 births with the name Eugenie in the United States. This demonstrates that while the popularity of this name has ebbed and flowed over time, it has maintained a consistent presence throughout history.