All about the name

Vanitie

Female

« Vanitie is a unisex French name that means 'vanity' or 'self-admiration', first used in the late 20th century. »

#70372 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Vanity is a unique and distinctive given name of French origin. It means "vanity" or "self-admiration" in English, deriving from the French word "vanité". The name Vanity has gained popularity in recent years as a unisex name, although it has historically been more commonly used for females. The use of Vanity as a given name is relatively modern, with its first recorded usage being in the late 20th century. However, the concept of vanity has been present throughout history and literature, notably appearing in William Shakespeare's play "King Lear", where one of the characters, the Earl of Kent, refers to himself as "poor servant to a name" after losing his title, suggesting that names and reputations can be fleeting. In popular culture, Vanity has gained prominence through various celebrities who have embraced this unique moniker. One notable example is Vanity of the rock band Vanity 6, which was formed by musician Prince in the mid-1980s. The group's name was a play on words, referring to both the concept of vanity and the fact that all three members had stage names beginning with the letter "V". Overall, while Vanity is an uncommon given name, it possesses an intriguing etymology and has been embraced by some notable figures throughout history and popular culture. Its unique meaning adds an element of intrigue to this distinctive name choice.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Vanitie since 1880

Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
1999
5 births
in 1999
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years