Portia is a unique and elegant female given name of Latin origin. It means "firstborn" or "early born" in Latin. The name Portia was popularized by Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," where the protagonist, Portia, was known for her intelligence, wit, and beauty. In the play, she dresses as a lawyer to defend her fiancé in court and ultimately saves his life. Prior to Shakespeare's play, there is little historical evidence of the name being used. However, it has gained popularity since then and continues to be a beloved choice among parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughters.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Portia has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century and a half in the United States.
The earliest data available shows that there were only 5 births with the name Portia in 1882. This number fluctuated between 5 and 9 births annually until 1896, when it jumped to 11 births. The trend continued to rise, reaching a peak of 37 births in 1917.
The Roaring Twenties saw a significant drop in the popularity of the name Portia, with fewer than 40 births each year between 1922 and 1935. However, the post-World War II era brought a resurgence of the name, with over 100 births annually from 1946 to 1955.
The popularity of Portia continued to fluctuate throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. It reached its peak in recent times in the mid-1980s, with 259 births in 1989. However, since then, there has been a steady decline in the number of newborn girls named Portia, reaching an all-time low of 7 births in 2021.
Overall, while Portia was once a popular choice for parents in the United States, its popularity has steadily declined over time. Despite this, it remains a classic name with a rich history and may continue to be chosen by parents looking for a timeless option for their daughters.