Lytle is a unique and uncommon given name of American origin. It is believed to have been coined by the American poet Edgar Lee Masters in his collection of free verse poems called "Spoon River Anthology," published in 1915. In the anthology, Lytle is used as one of the many names of the fictional residents of Spoon River, a small town in Illinois.
The name Lytle itself does not have a clear or widely accepted meaning or origin outside of Masters' creation. However, some sources suggest that it may have been inspired by the surname Lytle, which is of English origin and means "from the little lake." This interpretation, while plausible, is not definitively proven.
Despite its unclear origins, the name Lytle has been used as a given name in some instances, likely due to its association with Masters' work. It is important to note that this usage is relatively rare, and the name remains more commonly found as a surname.
In summary, Lytle is an American given name created by Edgar Lee Masters for his fictional characters in Spoon River Anthology. Its meaning and origin are not definitively known but may be connected to the English surname Lytle, which means "from the little lake.
The name Lytle has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 215 babies given this unique name since 1884.
In its early years of record, Lytle was relatively consistent in terms of its appearance. Between 1884 and 1920, there were at least five births each year, reaching as high as 14 in 1919 and 1924.
However, the name seemed to lose some momentum after the 1930s. The number of births decreased significantly, with only six births recorded in both 1934 and 1940. There was a slight increase again between 1941 and 1957, but it never reached the heights of the early years.
Despite its fluctuations in popularity, Lytle remains an uncommon name, perhaps contributing to its unique charm. It's fascinating to see how this name has been passed down through generations, with each birth representing a new chapter in the story of Lytle in America.