Paraskevi is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "paraskevi," which means "preparation." This name has been used in Greece for centuries and is traditionally given to girls born on Friday, as "paraskevi" also refers to the day before the Sabbath.
The name Paraskevi was particularly popular during the Byzantine Empire, where it was often bestowed upon members of royalty and nobility. One notable historical figure bearing this name is Saint Paraskeva (also known as Saint Parascheva), who was a Christian martyr in the 13th century. She is venerated as a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, which has further contributed to the popularity of this name.
In the Greek Orthodox tradition, there are actually two feast days dedicated to Saint Paraskeva: one on July 26 (according to the Julian calendar) and another on October 28 (according to the Gregorian calendar). Despite these religious associations, however, the name Paraskevi is not exclusively tied to faith or spirituality. Today, it remains a popular choice among Greek families, often given as an homage to family history or in honor of a beloved relative.
In other languages and cultures, the name Paraskevi may be transliterated or adapted differently. For example, in Slavic languages, it might appear as Parascheva or Paraskeva, while in Romanian, it is known as Paraschiva. In some cases, the name may also be shortened to Parasca or Paraska.
In conclusion, Paraskevi is a traditional Greek feminine given name with a rich history and meaningful origins. While its popularity has waxed and waned over time, this beautiful name continues to be chosen by families who wish to honor their cultural heritage or pay tribute to the strength and resilience of Saint Paraskeva.
Based on the statistics provided, it appears that the name Paraskevi has seen a varied level of popularity over several decades in the United States.
From 1968 to 2023, there were a total of 271 babies born with the name Paraskevi. The years with the highest number of births were 2005 and 2018, each with 13 and 12 births respectively. This indicates that those two years may have been particularly popular for the name Paraskevi.
However, the popularity of the name has fluctuated significantly over time. For example, there were no recorded births with the name Paraskevi between 1970 and 1986, apart from a single birth in 1984. On the other hand, there was a notable increase in the number of births with this name starting from the year 2000 onwards.
It is interesting to note that even in recent years, such as in 2022 and 2023, there were still several babies named Paraskevi born in the United States. This suggests that while the name may not be extremely common, it continues to be chosen by parents for their children.
In conclusion, while the name Paraskevi has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States, it remains a unique and occasionally chosen name for newborns.