Spirit Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Spirit' originates from the Latin word 'spiritus', meaning breath or soul. It has evolved through Old French and Middle English to represent the non-physical essence of a being. The term embodies concepts of life force and vitality, with no direct biblical relevance. Its popularity surged during the Middle Ages, particularly in religious contexts, and today it signifies enthusiasm and character in modern language.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Spirit"
Pronunciation
/ˈspɪrɪt/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The word 'spirit' comes from the Latin 'spiritus', meaning 'breath' or 'soul'. It has evolved to represent the non-physical part of a person, often associated with emotions and consciousness.
Meaning
soul, essence, life force
Language Evolution
Latin: spiritus, Old French: espirit, Middle English: spirit
Historical Usage
The term 'spirit' gained popularity in the Middle Ages, especially in theological contexts, where it was used to refer to the Holy Spirit in Christian doctrine.
Variants & Derivatives
Spirited, Spiritual, Spirituous
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary usage, 'spirit' conveys a sense of vitality and enthusiasm, often associated with a person's character or emotional state. It is also commonly used in various cultural contexts to denote a sense of community or collective essence.
Famous People
Spirit Airlines is a notable example of a company associated with the word., Spirit, the American singer-songwriter, although not widely known, contributes to the artistic representation of the term.
📊 Spirit Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Spirit Name Visualizations
✨ Spirit Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 57 peak births in 2003
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in Illinois
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Spirit"
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 "Spirit"
"Spirit" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 19426th of 23106 | 11 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15137th of 19264 | 13 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 17545th of 27321 | 26 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4752nd of 35406 | 447 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4720th of 30306 | 346 |
Regional Popularity of "Spirit" 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 "Spirit" 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) |
85.27% 3907th/4582 |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
87.19% 6376th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
100.00% 6822nd/6822 |
94.39% 5924th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Spirit"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Spirit" 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 "Spirit" in the United States
The name Spirit is most popular in Illinois, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest 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, Spirit has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Spirit' has shown interesting popularity patterns: 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 19426th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 15137th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 17545th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4752nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4720th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Spirit' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.