Easter Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Easter' originates from the Old English term 'ēastre,' linked to a spring goddess. It evolved through various linguistic forms, including Proto-Germanic roots. Its meaning relates to spring and resurrection. Although it lacks direct biblical ties, it is deeply associated with Christian traditions. The name has gained popularity as a significant holiday in Christianity and a cultural celebration.
The name Easter is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl 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. 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, Easter has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Easter' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4785th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4794th out of 6773 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 650th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 816th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1479th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3671st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7773rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 18749th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 26286th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Easter' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Easter"
Pronunciation
/ˈiːstər/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Easter' is derived from the Old English word 'ēastre,' which refers to the spring season and is associated with the goddess Eostre, a figure in Anglo-Saxon paganism who was celebrated during the spring equinox.
Meaning
Spring festival, resurrection
Language Evolution
ēastre (Old English), Eostre (Proto-Germanic), Pascha (Latin and Greek)
Historical Usage
Easter became widely recognized as a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the early centuries of the church, gaining prominence by the 4th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Pascha, Eostre, Ostern (German), Pâques (French)
Modern Popularity & Image
Easter is currently perceived as both a religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus and a cultural celebration characterized by festivities, egg hunting, and family gatherings.
Famous People
Easter eggs and festivities have inspired numerous cultural figures, but there are no specific famous individuals directly associated with the name.
Explore More Easter Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Easter"
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 "Easter"
"Easter" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4785th of 7545 | 37 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4794th of 6773 | 29 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 650th of 9107 | 2,199 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 816th of 9204 | 1,404 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1479th of 12526 | 932 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3671st of 19264 | 278 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7773rd of 27321 | 146 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 18749th of 35406 | 47 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 26286th of 30306 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Easter" 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 "Easter" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
86.51% 1225th/1416 |
- |
17.88% 423rd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
21.97% 517th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
35.54% 1014th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
88.63% 3118th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Easter"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Easter" 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.