Columbus Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Columbus originates from the Latin word 'columba', meaning 'dove'. It has evolved through various historical forms, including Colombus and Colombe. The name is strongly associated with Christopher Columbus, an explorer whose legacy is marked by both discovery and controversy. It does not have biblical relevance and gained prominence in the late 15th century. Today, it carries diverse perceptions linked to exploration and colonialism.
The name Columbus is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Columbus has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Columbus' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 463rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 589th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 932nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1731st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3904th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8666th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 13264th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Columbus' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Columbus"
Pronunciation
/kəˈlʌmbəs/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Columbus is derived from the Latin word 'columba', meaning 'dove'. It is associated with Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer credited with discovering the Americas in 1492.
Meaning
dove
Language Evolution
Columbus (Latin), Colombus (Middle English), Colombe (Old French)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 15th century due to Christopher Columbus's voyages, becoming synonymous with exploration and discovery.
Variants & Derivatives
Columba, Colomb, Colombus
Modern Popularity & Image
Columbus is often viewed as a controversial figure due to the impact of his voyages on indigenous populations, leading to diverse perceptions of the name ranging from admiration to criticism.
Famous People
Christopher Columbus, Columbus Day namesake
Explore More Columbus Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Columbus"
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 "Columbus"
"Columbus" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 463rd of 7545 | 2,705 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 589th of 6773 | 1,843 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 932nd of 7552 | 1,211 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1731st of 10718 | 429 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3904th of 16616 | 209 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8666th of 24088 | 112 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 13264th of 23106 | 39 |
Regional Popularity of "Columbus" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
72.32% 1024th/1416 |
- |
12.43% 294th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
16.36% 385th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
58.24% 1297th/2227 |
- |
23.76% 678th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
- |
45.17% 1589th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Columbus" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Columbus"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Columbus" 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.