The name Promise is of English origin and it means exactly what it sounds like: a promise or something that is promised. The name has gained popularity in recent years as parents seek unique and meaningful names for their children.
The history of the name Promise is not well-documented, but it is believed to have originated from the English word "promise," which comes from the Old French word "promesse" meaning "a promising or pledging." The use of Promise as a given name is relatively modern and has been used more frequently for girls than boys.
Despite its recent popularity, Promise is still considered a unique and uncommon name. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it has never ranked in the top 1000 names for either gender since record-keeping began in 1879.
One famous person with the name Promise is Promise Pham, an American actress who was born in Vietnam. She is known for her roles in television shows such as "NCIS" and "24."
Overall, Promise is a unique and meaningful name that carries with it a sense of hope and expectation. Its English origin makes it easily recognizable to speakers of the language, while its uncommon usage makes it stand out from more traditional names.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Promise based on U.S. birth records:
The name Promise first appeared in the top 1000 names for girls in the United States in 1986, when it was given to 10 newborns that year.
In the following decade, its popularity grew steadily. Between 1994 and 2003, the number of newborn girls named Promise increased from 40 to 107, indicating a significant rise in its usage during this period.
The years 2007 to 2017 saw a particularly notable surge in popularity for the name Promise. During these ten years, the number of babies named Promise more than doubled, rising from 179 births in 2007 to a peak of 390 births in 2017.
However, the trend has been fluctuating since then. After reaching its peak in 2017, the popularity of the name Promise seems to have stabilized, with birth numbers ranging between 363 and 390 from 2018 to 2023.
In total, as of 2023, there have been 5744 newborn girls named Promise in the United States since records began.