Kermit is an uncommon given name of Scottish origin, derived from the name Cormac, which means "chariot rider" or "warlike." In Irish mythology, Cormac mac Airt was a legendary king who was known for his wisdom and justice. The name Kermit likely emerged as a variant spelling of this ancient name over time.
The first recorded instance of the name Kermit in America is believed to be Kermit Roosevelt (1865-1943), the son of President Theodore Roosevelt. However, it was not until much later that the name gained significant popularity due to its association with a popular Muppet character created by Jim Henson.
Kermit the Frog, a beloved character on the children's television show Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, debuted in 1955 as an original puppet created by Henson. This iconic frog character quickly became one of the most recognizable figures in popular culture. Although Kermit the Frog is not named after the human name Kermit, it is possible that the popularity of the Muppet character has contributed to a rise in the usage of this unique given name.
Today, Kermit remains an uncommon yet distinctive name with a rich history rooted in Scottish and Irish mythology. While its association with a famous frog character may bring smiles to some faces, the name Kermit is a timeless choice that carries its own unique charm and heritage.
The statistics provided detail the annual births of babies named Kermit in the United States over a span of more than a century, from 1900 to 2022. These numbers offer an interesting insight into the popularity and trends of this unique name.
The early years of the 20th century saw relatively few births with the name Kermit, with numbers ranging from 6 to 37 between 1900 and 1908. However, there was a notable increase in popularity during the following decade, with over 130 births each year from 1909 to 1912.
The peak of Kermit's popularity occurred in 1914, with an impressive total of 401 births. This figure surpassed previous years' numbers significantly and was not reached again until the early 1970s when there were around 80 births each year between 1972 and 1976.
After a period of fluctuating popularity throughout the mid- to late century, Kermit's birth numbers began to decline in the late 1970s and continued to do so through the 1980s. There were fewer than 40 births each year from 1977 onwards.
This downward trend continued into the 1990s and early 2000s, with only single-digit numbers of Kermit births reported annually between 1993 and 2006. The lowest point was reached in 2005, with only 6 births recorded.
However, there have been some slight fluctuations since then. While the numbers remained low throughout most of the 2010s, reaching a recent low of just 5 births in 2017, there were increases to 13 and 10 births in 2014 and 2018 respectively. Most recently, in 2022, there were another 6 births recorded.
Overall, the statistics show that while Kermit was once a popular baby name, its popularity has significantly decreased over time. Nevertheless, it remains a unique choice that has resulted in over 16,400 births across the United States since 1900.