Watts is a unique and distinctive name of English origin. It is derived from the surname Watkin, which is itself a variant of the Welsh given name Watkins. The name Watkins is composed of two elements: "Watt," meaning "little" in Welsh, and "kins," referring to family or kin.
The name Watts has a rich history dating back to medieval Wales. It was originally used as a surname to denote a small child or a person of short stature within a family. Over time, it evolved into a given name and gained popularity throughout England and other English-speaking countries.
One notable figure with the surname Watts was Joseph Watts (1769-1842), an American inventor who is credited with creating the first practical steamboat in 1807. This association with innovation and progress may have contributed to the name's appeal as a given name.
Today, Watts is a rare but memorable choice for a baby boy's name. It has a strong and modern sound while still having roots in history. The name also lends itself well to various nicknames such as Watt or Watty, adding further versatility to its charm.
In summary, the name Watts originates from Welsh and means "little kin." With its unique sound, historic roots, and versatile nickname potential, it is an attractive choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the birth rate of babies named Watt in the United States between 1880 and 1971.
Firstly, there appears to be no consistent pattern or trend in the number of births per year. The total number of births varies widely, ranging from a low of 5 births in multiple years to a high of 15 births in 1920 and again in 1925.
Secondly, the overall popularity of the name Watt seems to have been relatively stable over time but not exceptionally popular. The total number of births is 444, which indicates that while it was not an uncommon name, neither was it extremely common.
Lastly, we can observe a few periods where the birth rate was higher than others:
* Between 1920 and 1926, there were several years with double-digit births (15 births in both 1920 and 1925, 14 births in 1926), suggesting a brief increase in popularity for the name Watt during this time.
* The period from 1932 to 1944 also saw several years with higher-than-average birth rates (11 births in 1932, 10 births in both 1940 and 1948), although these figures were still below the peak levels seen earlier.
Overall, while the name Watt has a consistent presence throughout the period studied, it does not appear to have been a particularly popular choice among parents in the United States during this time.