Providence Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Providence' originates from the Latin term 'providentia', meaning foresight or care. It has evolved from its Latin roots into its present form used in English. The name embodies traits of divine guidance and care, with no direct biblical relevance. It rose to prominence in the 17th century amidst religious movements and continues to be viewed positively in contemporary society.
The name Providence is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast 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, Providence has been stalled for female in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in Northeast. Across generations, 'Providence' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2161st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3018th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6787th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 18004th out of 19264 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13503rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10456th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Providence' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Providence"
Pronunciation
/ˈprɒvɪdəns/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name 'Providence' is derived from the Latin word 'providentia', which means foresight or the act of providing. It is associated with divine guidance and care.
Meaning
foresight, care
Language Evolution
Providentia (Latin), Providence (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 17th century, particularly in the context of the Puritan movement in America, where it was often used to reflect a belief in divine providence.
Variants & Derivatives
Provi, Provie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Providence is often associated with the notion of divine care and is used in various contexts, including place names and institutions. It retains a positive connotation.
Famous People
Providence St. John (early American figure), Providence College (notable institution)
Explore More Providence Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Providence"
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 "Providence"
"Providence" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2161st of 9107 | 286 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3018th of 9204 | 164 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6787th of 12526 | 55 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 18004th of 19264 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13503rd of 35406 | 95 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10456th of 30306 | 110 |
Regional Popularity of "Providence" 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 "Providence" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
49.31% 680th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
57.78% 899th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
90.08% 2189th/2430 |
- | - |
| 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 "Providence"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Providence" 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.