How popular is the baby name Claudius in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Claudius.

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Popularity of the baby name Claudius


Posts that mention the name Claudius

What turned Valiant into a baby name in the 1940s?

The characters Prince Valiant and Aleta (in 1945) from the comic strip "Prince Valiant" (1937-)
Prince Valiant and Aleta (in 1945)

Names like Brave and Warrior have surfaced in the U.S. baby name data over the last couple of decades, but Valiant first appeared way back in the 1940s:

  • 1949: 7 baby boys named Valiant
  • 1948: 5 baby boys named Valiant
  • 1947: 6 baby boys named Valiant [debut]
  • 1946: unlisted
  • 1945: unlisted

Why?

My best guess is comic strip character Prince Valiant, who’d been familiar to newspaper readers for a decade by 1947.

Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur by Nova Scotian artist Harold “Hal” Foster is an action-adventure comic strip set in sixth-century England.

It is difficult to imagine the impact Foster’s “Prince Valiant” had on 1930s and 1940s popular culture. When “Prince Valiant” began, Superman’s debut in “Action Comics No. 1” was still over a year away. […] “Swipes” of Foster’s art can be found in the origin of Batman and in comics drawn by Jack Kirby, the co-creator of many of today’s movie heroes, including Captain America, the Avengers, the X-Men and Thor.

Other characters from the strip also influenced U.S. baby names.

The earliest example I’ve found is that of the maid Ilene, Prince Valiant’s first love. During 1938, Val fought rival suitor Prince Arn of Ord for her. The same year, the baby name Ilene saw a spike in usage:

  • 1940: 227 baby girls named Ilene [rank: 451st]
  • 1939: 283 baby girls named Ilene [rank: 397th]
  • 1938: 343 baby girls named Ilene [rank: 347th]
  • 1937: 248 baby girls named Ilene [rank: 412th]
  • 1936: 263 baby girls named Ilene [rank: 392nd]

Turns out neither suitor won — Ilene died in a shipwreck — but Arn and Val did end up becoming good friends.

Several years later, Valiant met Aleta, the grey-eyed queen of the Misty Isles. She became a central part of the storyline in the mid-1940s, and the characters finally got married in October of 1946.

As a result, the baby name Aleta saw a steep rise in usage from 1945 to 1947:

  • 1948: 227 baby girls named Aleta [rank: 551st]
  • 1947: 262 baby girls named Aleta [rank: 511th] – peak usage
  • 1946: 171 baby girls named Aleta [rank: 606th]
  • 1945: 102 baby girls named Aleta [rank: 737th]
  • 1944: 38 baby girls named Aleta
Graph of the usage of the baby name Aleta in the U.S. since 1880
Usage of the baby name Aleta

Val and Aleta went on to welcome five children, 3 boys and 2 girls:

  1. Arn (who was named after Prince Arn of Ord) in 1947
  2. Karen (twin) in 1951
  3. Valeta (twin) in 1951
  4. Galan in 1962
  5. Nathan in 1982

The name Arn debuted in the data in 1949, and the name Valeta saw peak usage in 1952.

Interestingly, the three middle children were all named via contest:

After Val and Aleta’s twin girls were born, King Features held a contest to name them, but Foster reserved the right to select the winning entry. A young girl, Cindy Lou Hermann, sent in the winning names “Karen” and “Valeta” and visited Hal in Connecticut. For Val and Aleta’s fourth child, a boy who would become the king of the Misty Isles, John Hall won the competition with “Galen” after the Greek physician, Claudius Galen.

What are your thoughts on the baby name Valiant? (Would you use it?)

Sources:

A smattering of Mormon baby names

Jessie Jensen published her annual Mormon baby names post a few weeks ago. Some highlights:

  • Dallin/Dallen, tied for “Most Mormon name.” Dallin H. Oaks is a prominent member of the LDS church and a former president of BYU.
  • Rexalyn: “Ask your doctor if Rexalyn™ is right for you.”
  • Roczen, which has popped up in Australia recently as well. The influence is probably German motorcycle racer Ken Roczen.
  • Tannin, the “Absolute Worst Name This Year” thanks to the Biblical sea monster association. (For what it’s worth, I thought Zoei was worse.)

One commenter mentioned the historical Malan family of Ogden, Utah. Most of the 16 children were given alphabetical names:

  • Alexis Bartholomew (b. 1873)
  • Claudius Daniel (b. 1875)
  • Ernest Francis (b. 1876)
  • Jeremiah (b. 1878)
  • Gideon Highly (b. 1879)
  • Inez Jane (b. 1881)
  • Kit (b. 1883)
  • Lawrence Maxwell (b. 1884)
  • Nahum Oscar (b. 1886)
  • Parley Quince (b. 1888)
  • Ray Stephen (b. 1890)
  • Teresa Una (b. 1890)
  • Verna Winona (b. 1893)
  • X Y Zella (b. 1895)
  • Benjamin (b. 1896)
  • Louise Pauline (b. 1898)

Another commenter mentioned an aunt “named OE, it was pronounced oh-EEE, just like the letters,” who was born in Utah in early 1900s. (Reminds me of Io.)

Have you come across any interesting Mormon names lately?

Baby names that reached the U.S. top 1,000 just twice

The following names ranked among the top 1,000 U.S. baby names just twice from 1880 through 2006:

Girl Names

  • Adriene (1962, 1967)
  • Agusta (1882, 1884)
  • Aili (1909, 1910)
  • Alcie (1880, 1886)
  • Alethea (1973, 1974)
  • Alexina (1881, 1882)
  • Almedia (1881, 1885)
  • Aloma (1942, 1943)
  • Alwina (1882, 1886)
  • Alys (1880, 1910)
  • Ama (1881, 1885)
  • Amalie (1881, 1883)
  • Amma (1881, 1887)
  • Anastacia (1880, 1896)
  • Angeles (2003, 2004)
  • Anie (1881, 1882)
  • Anona (1904, 1905)
  • Antonetta (1910, 1915)
  • Araminta (1880, 1884)
  • Ardath (1905, 1923)
  • Arkie (1883, 1889)
  • Arta (1881, 1884)
  • Ayesha (1979, 1982)
  • Bebe (1923, 1932)
  • Bertina (1882, 1893)
  • Bethann (1965, 1967)
  • Brigid (1965, 1966)
  • Brinda (1951, 1952)
  • Britny (1989, 1990)
  • Bryn (1999, 2004)
  • Carlota (1887, 1892)
  • Celie (1880, 1887)
  • Cena (1881, 1883)
  • Chaney (1880, 1888)
  • Channie (1884, 1885)
  • Chante (1977, 1993)
  • Charlotta (1880, 1884)
  • Chelsy (1991, 1992)
  • Cherelle (1986, 1989)
  • Cherilyn (1972, 1975)
  • Chimere (1980, 1981)
  • Ciarra (1995, 1997)
  • Cicely (1973, 1974)
  • Cielo (2000, 2001)
  • Ciji (1983, 1984)
  • Cinthia (1991, 1996)
  • Cleva (1884, 1885)
  • Clevie (1884, 1885)
  • Columbia (1882, 1893)
  • Consuela (1971, 1972)
  • Contina (1972, 1973)
  • Coralie (1880, 1929)
  • Cornie (1885, 1887)
  • Cressie (1889, 1899)
  • Crete (1881, 1882)
  • Cuba (1898, 1899)
  • Cyntha (1881, 1884)
  • Daja (1995, 1996)
  • Danyel (1974, 1976)
  • Danyell (1973, 1974)
  • Davante (1992, 1993)
  • Dawne (1962, 1965)
  • Deliah (1880, 1883)
  • Delinda (1964, 1965)
  • Dellia (1881, 1888)
  • Dorthey (1932, 1934)
  • Dossie (1881, 1885)
  • Echo (1983, 1984)
  • Edla (1882, 1889)
  • Ednah (1880, 1887)
  • Edra (1905, 1908)
  • Elana (1960, 1966)
  • Eleonore (1882, 1887)
  • Elfie (1883, 1888)
  • Elwanda (1921, 1922)
  • Epsie (1881, 1888)
  • Eris (1923, 1924)
  • Erykah (1997, 1998)
  • Estefany (1996, 2002)
  • Evelena (1885, 1910)
  • Ever (1893, 1901)
  • Farah (1976, 1977)
  • Flavia (1881, 1884)
  • Floretta (1908, 1916)
  • Franc (1882, 1883)
  • Francisqui (1883, 1892)
  • Georgeanna (1883, 1884)
  • Gidget (1966, 1967)
  • Glennis (1936, 1939)
  • Gracia (1880, 1887)
  • Gwyn (1961, 1962)
  • Hasel (1895, 1901)
  • Hennie (1882, 1883)
  • Hortensia (1927, 1928)
  • Ilo (1898, 1899)
  • Ingeborg (1901, 1905)
  • Ivonne (1992, 1993)
  • Jacquelynn (1943, 1947)
  • Jenniffer* (1972, 1973)
  • Jerilynn (1941, 1942)
  • Jesenia (1987, 1990)
  • Jinnie (1881, 1882)
  • Joell (1966, 1967)
  • Judyth (1941, 1944)
  • Kadijah (1993, 1994)
  • Kaleena (1982, 1983)
  • Kanisha (1990, 1991)
  • Kiarra (1999, 2000)
  • Kylene (1979, 1980)
  • Lakendra (1987, 1988)
  • Lalla (1885, 1888)
  • Lashunda (1977, 1980)
  • Lasonya (1971, 1972)
  • Latifah (1990, 1992)
  • Lavonda (1965, 1968)
  • Lavonia (1880, 1898)
  • Leafy (1893, 1894)
  • Leitha (1880, 1906)
  • Lempi (1899, 1904)
  • Leoma (1901, 1908)
  • Lesta (1883, 1892)
  • Lethia (1886, 1893)
  • Leyla (2005, 2006)
  • Liane (1959, 1969)
  • Lilianna (2005, 2006)
  • Liller (1880, 1885)
  • Lisbeth (2002, 2003)
  • Litha (1883, 1885)
  • Livia (2004, 2005)
  • Lorayne (1920, 1922)
  • Lorean (1901, 1920)
  • Loria (1961, 1962)
  • Loris (1935, 1936)
  • Louanna (1881, 1891)
  • Madora (1880, 1883)
  • Mahalia (1880, 1881)
  • Mallorie (1986, 1987)
  • Malorie (1986, 1987)
  • Manila (1898, 1899)
  • Maralyn (1936, 1938)
  • Margene (1929, 1935)
  • Margeret (1880, 1882)
  • Marget (1882, 1883)
  • Margrett (1885, 1888)
  • Margy (1929, 1930)
  • Markita (1984, 1985)
  • Marlana (1978, 1979)
  • Marlen (2000, 2003)
  • Marnita (1961, 1962)
  • Martika (1989, 1990)
  • Marylouise (1922, 1923)
  • Melony (1963, 1966)
  • Mena (1880, 1887)
  • Merrilee (1942, 1943)
  • Mila (1881, 2006)
  • Milda (1896, 1897)
  • Moesha (1996, 1997)
  • Mora (1881, 1887)
  • Myla (2005, 2006)
  • Naima (2005, 2006)
  • Nakita (1986, 1987)
  • Norita (1935, 1937)
  • Nyree (1973, 1975)
  • Nobie (1890, 1908)
  • Odette (1899, 1905)
  • Olinda (1893, 1895)
  • Oliva (1889, 1894)
  • Oneida (1919, 1922)
  • Opha (1887, 1897)
  • Orlena (1881, 1891)
  • Ota (1881, 1882)
  • Pamelia (1949, 1954)
  • Pearly (1884, 1904)
  • Pheobe (1885, 1889)
  • Porsche (1987, 1988)
  • Rafaela (1903, 1909)
  • Rennie (1880, 1885)
  • Rinda (1882, 1885)
  • Roena (1880, 1884)
  • Ruie (1884, 1886)
  • Salena (1977, 1995)
  • Sanjuana (1949, 1950)
  • Sebrina (1967, 1970)
  • Selah (2005, 2006)
  • Serina (1970, 1998)
  • Shanelle (1989, 1992)
  • Shanequa (1991, 1992)
  • Shaquita (1985, 1986)
  • Sharman (1949, 1950)
  • Shaunna (1978, 1979)
  • Shelvia (1937, 1938)
  • Sheyla (2001, 2006)
  • Shirl (1963, 1964)
  • Shirlie (1926, 1935)
  • Shona (1969, 1970)
  • Shyla (1999, 2006)
  • Siena (2005, 2006)
  • Signa (1890, 1892)
  • Soledad (1919, 1929)
  • Stephani (1987, 1989)
  • Tamya (2003, 2004)
  • Tayla (1998, 2006)
  • Tea (1997, 1998)
  • Thresa (1883, 1888)
  • Tinie (1881, 1885)
  • Tobi (1974, 1975)
  • Torrie (1976, 1977)
  • Toshiko (1919, 1923)
  • Valery (2005, 2006)
  • Velia (1929, 1930)
  • Vonetta (1973, 1974)
  • Wanita (1924, 1931)
  • Winter (1978, 1979)
  • Xena (1996, 1997)
  • Yahaira (2003, 2005)
  • Yuridia (2005, 2006)
  • Zana (1888, 1994)
  • Zara (2005, 2006)
  • Zhane (1994, 1995)

Boy Names

  • Abbott (1880, 1888)
  • Adron (1901, 1904)
  • Albertus (1880, 1883)
  • Alferd (1891, 1899)
  • Alfie (1967, 1968)
  • Amado (1883, 1932)
  • Ananias (1883, 1889)
  • Arnett (1893, 1897)
  • Atlas (1883, 1890)
  • Aurthur (1880, 1891)
  • Bayard (1882, 1884)
  • Bilal (1991, 2002)
  • Bjorn (1977, 1980)
  • Blas (1880, 1911)
  • Bryton (1994, 1995)
  • Burgess (1884, 1890)
  • Burrel (1884, 1889)
  • Captain (1883, 1887)
  • Cato (1880, 1891)
  • Ceasar (1883, 1900)
  • Chancey (1883, 1885)
  • Charls (1886, 1892)
  • Chauncy (1883, 1890)
  • Claudius (1890, 1893)
  • Clemon (1894, 1899)
  • Clide (1883, 1901)
  • Colie (1911, 1912)
  • Collis (1899, 1900)
  • Colon (1885, 1886)
  • Coolidge (1924, 1925)
  • Crockett (1880, 1883)
  • Darryn (1965, 1968)
  • Daulton (1994, 1997)
  • Dejon (1991, 1992)
  • Demian (1971, 1974)
  • Demonte (1993, 1994)
  • Desean (1991, 1994)
  • Desi (1956, 1970)
  • Dink (1883, 1892)
  • Dionicio (1882, 1887)
  • Dozier (1884, 1892)
  • Duff (1880, 1882)
  • Durell (1985, 1986)
  • Durrell (1985, 1986)
  • Dustan (1980, 1984)
  • Ebbie (1881, 1882)
  • Elick (1880, 1890)
  • Encarnacion (1892, 1895)
  • Ephram (1881, 1887)
  • Epifanio (1885, 1888)
  • Eustace (1882, 1885)
  • Everet (1897, 1905)
  • Ewin (1882, 1883)
  • Ferman (1886, 1893)
  • Fitzgerald (1964, 1965)
  • Flint (1959, 1960)
  • Florencio (1882, 1889)
  • Fredy (1993, 2005)
  • Fremont (1882, 1899)
  • Gaines (1882, 1885)
  • Gasper (1911, 1917)
  • Gennaro (1911, 1913)
  • Geoff (1962, 1969)
  • Gibson (1882, 1897)
  • Gorge (1880, 1900)
  • Grayling (1957, 1959)
  • Halbert (1881, 1907)
  • Hansel (1905, 1917)
  • Harl (1880, 1897)
  • Harrie (1880, 1890)
  • Hartley (1895, 1909)
  • Hartwell (1881, 1883)
  • Holmes (1880, 1903)
  • Horton (1888, 1895)
  • Hoy (1880, 1910)
  • Hurbert (1891, 1903)
  • Illya (1966, 1967)
  • Imanol (2001, 2006)
  • Ingram (1883, 1890)
  • Jarett (1997, 1998)
  • Jeb (1978, 1981)
  • Jerrad (1984, 1985)
  • Jerrel (1934, 1940)
  • Jessee (1880, 1887)
  • Jethro (1899, 1913)
  • Jobe (1882, 1887)
  • Jordi (1998, 1999)
  • Joshuah (1985, 1989)
  • Kanye (2004, 2005)
  • Kavon (2000, 2001)
  • Keenen (1990, 1991)
  • Kenji (1978, 1979)
  • Keshaun (2000, 2001)
  • Kiefer (1990, 1991)
  • Knox (1881, 1888)
  • Leandro (2005, 2006)
  • Lemmie (1900, 1903)
  • Levern (1954, 1955)
  • Lillard (1885, 1890)
  • Lindbergh (1927, 1928)
  • Linden (1943, 1947)
  • Linn (1882, 1891)
  • Lish (1889, 1893)
  • Littleton (1882, 1896)
  • Lydell (1977, 1978)
  • Macarthur (1942, 1943)
  • Mace (1883, 1902)
  • Makai (2005, 2006)
  • Mal (1880, 1883)
  • Mansfield (1890, 1909)
  • Manson (1886, 1892)
  • Messia (2005, 2006)
  • Michial (1950, 1954)
  • Mikhail (1988, 1990)
  • Minoru (1920, 1926)
  • Mustafa (2001, 2002)
  • Namon (1884, 1899)
  • Needham (1890, 1893)
  • Nile (1896, 1905)
  • Octavius (1987, 1991)
  • Olof (1883, 1891)
  • Orren (1880, 1886)
  • Ott (1882, 1891)
  • Ovid (1894, 1907)
  • Owens (1890, 1896)
  • Posey (1889, 1896)
  • Prentiss (1907, 1943)
  • Purl (1884, 1885)
  • Randolf (1953, 1955)
  • Ras (1890, 1891)
  • Rayfield (1904, 1906)
  • Reubin (1892, 1898)
  • Reynolds (1895, 1901)
  • Ridge (1988, 1989)
  • Rishi (2004, 2005)
  • Romello (1995, 1996)
  • Ruffus (1881, 1884)
  • Rustin (1979, 1980)
  • Saint (1896, 1897)
  • Severt (1882, 1896)
  • Shan (1968, 1969)
  • Sie (1888, 1890)
  • Sing (1890, 1905)
  • Tahj (1998, 1999)
  • Taj (1976, 1998)
  • Talan (2005, 2006)
  • Tandy (1883, 1899)
  • Tavion (1999, 2002)
  • Tayshaun (2004, 2005)
  • Terell (1985, 1986)
  • Theodis (1952, 1955)
  • Tilman (1881, 1884)
  • Toshio (1921, 1925)
  • Treyton (2002, 2003)
  • Tuan (1982, 1983)
  • Tyriq (1998, 1999)
  • Tyrus (1912, 1916)
  • Vander (1884, 1887)
  • Vashon (1973, 1974)
  • Vidal (1972, 1973)
  • Vinie (1885, 1895)
  • Waino (1904, 1909)
  • Wells (1881, 1886)
  • Wess (1883, 1890)
  • Wirt (1881, 1886)
  • Wood (1881, 1882)
  • Yaakov (1986, 1987)
  • Yehuda (2001, 2005)
  • Zaid (2003, 2004)

Which of the above do you like most? How about least?

P.S. Here’s a list of the names that reached the top 1,000 just once.