Cherish Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Cherish is a name of Middle English origin that means to hold dear or care for. It evolved from Old French and has maintained its meaning throughout its history. The name reflects traits of affection and value, with no direct biblical relevance. It became popular in the late 20th century, aligning with cultural values of love and connection.
The name Cherish is most popular in Hawaii, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Cherish has been falling for female in MidWest, falling for female in Northeast, falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Cherish' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1543rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 985th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 891st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1089th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Cherish' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Cherish"
Pronunciation
/ˈtʃɛrɪʃ/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name 'Cherish' derives from the Middle English word 'cherishen', which means to hold dear or to care for someone or something very much.
Meaning
To hold dear, to care for, to value highly.
Language Evolution
Old French 'cherir', Middle English 'cherishen', Modern English 'cherish'
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a reflection of the cultural emphasis on affection and personal connections.
Variants & Derivatives
Cher, Cheri, Cherise
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Cherish is viewed positively, often associated with love, warmth, and a nurturing personality.
Famous People
Cherish Lee, an American country singer, Cherish the Day, a popular song
Explore More Cherish Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Cherish"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Cherish"
"Cherish" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1543rd of 19264 | 1,036 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 985th of 27321 | 2,830 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 891st of 35406 | 4,473 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1089th of 30306 | 2,851 |
Regional Popularity of "Cherish" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Cherish" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
49.95% 1467th/2937 |
72.35% 2520th/3483 |
56.14% 1975th/3518 |
30.27% 1224th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
27.82% 1025th/3685 |
34.41% 1540th/4475 |
18.04% 937th/5194 |
16.38% 1035th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
17.00% 779th/4582 |
23.16% 1196th/5164 |
10.84% 793rd/7313 |
14.50% 1082nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
21.36% 851st/3984 |
34.30% 1539th/4487 |
13.06% 891st/6822 |
26.74% 1678th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Cherish"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Cherish" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.