Ignatius Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Ignatius has Latin origins, meaning 'fire'. It evolved through various languages and forms, maintaining its association with fervor and passion. Its historical significance is tied to notable saints and figures in Christianity, though it does not have a specific biblical reference. The name is viewed as traditional and intellectual, with a current perception that balances history and spirituality.
The name Ignatius is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast 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, Ignatius has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Ignatius' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 694th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1167th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1782nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3356th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5530th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4002nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2020th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Ignatius' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ignatius"
Pronunciation
/ɪɡˈneɪʃəs/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Ignatius is derived from the Latin name 'Ignatius', which is believed to be associated with the Latin word 'ignis', meaning 'fire'. This suggests connotations of passion or fervor.
Meaning
fire
Language Evolution
Ignatius (Latin), Ignace (Old French), Ignazio (Italian), Ignácio (Portuguese), Ignas (Lithuanian)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity primarily due to Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a church father who lived in the 1st century AD. It became more widely used in the Middle Ages among Christians, particularly in Catholic traditions.
Variants & Derivatives
Ignace, Ignazio, Ignácio, Ignas, Iggy
Modern Popularity & Image
Ignatius is considered a traditional name with a strong historical and religious connotation. It is often associated with intellect and spirituality, and while it is not extremely common today, it maintains a classic appeal.
Famous People
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Ignatius of Antioch, Ignatius J. Reilly (fictional character from 'A Confederacy of Dunces')
Explore More Ignatius Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ignatius"
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 "Ignatius"
"Ignatius" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 694th of 7545 | 1,357 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1167th of 6773 | 623 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1782nd of 7552 | 366 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3356th of 10718 | 149 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5530th of 16616 | 122 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4002nd of 24088 | 357 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2020th of 23106 | 871 |
Regional Popularity of "Ignatius" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
39.12% 554th/1416 |
25.38% 350th/1379 |
84.53% 2000th/2366 |
85.99% 982nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
53.10% 821st/1546 |
32.65% 508th/1556 |
85.68% 2016th/2353 |
68.97% 1067th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
46.79% 1137th/2430 |
68.91% 1966th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
61.74% 2172nd/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
65.06% 4758th/7313 |
55.88% 4170th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
34.29% 1366th/3984 |
49.70% 2230th/4487 |
43.23% 2949th/6822 |
39.07% 2452nd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Ignatius" 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 "Ignatius"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ignatius" 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.