Festus Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Festus has Latin origins, meaning 'joyful' or 'festive.' Its language path includes adaptations in Old French and English. The name is associated with biblical references, particularly as the Roman governor of Judea. While it is not widely used today, it carries a sense of tradition and celebration.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Festus"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɛstəs/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Festus is derived from the Latin word 'festus,' meaning 'festive' or 'joyful.' It is associated with celebrations and festivities.
Meaning
joyful, festive
Language Evolution
Festus (Latin), Festus (Old French), Festus (English)
Biblical Background
Festus is mentioned in the New Testament as the Roman governor of Judea who succeeded Felix. His interactions with the Apostle Paul are noted in the Book of Acts.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity during the early Christian period due to its biblical associations. It has seen a resurgence in usage in modern times, particularly in Christian communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Fest, Festie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Festus is perceived as a unique and traditional name, often associated with joy and celebration. It is less common but appreciated for its historical and biblical significance.
Famous People
Festus of Malta (a biblical figure), Festus (a character in various literary works)
📊 Festus Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Festus Name Visualizations
✨ Festus Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 16 peak births in 1916
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Festus"
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 "Festus"
"Festus" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2458th of 7545 | 177 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3673rd of 6773 | 73 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4781st of 7552 | 39 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7574th of 10718 | 21 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 20190th of 23106 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Festus" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| 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 "Festus" 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 "Festus"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Festus" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Festus" in the United States
The name Festus is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent 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, Festus has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Festus' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2458th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3673rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4781st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7574th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20190th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Festus' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.