Whitten is a unique and uncommon male given name of English origin. Its meaning and history are somewhat unclear due to its rarity, but there are a few theories about its origins.
One theory suggests that Whitten may be a variant spelling of the name Whitney, which has English and Scottish origins. Whitney is derived from the Middle English word "withe," meaning "willow tree." Therefore, Whitten could potentially mean "dweller by the willow tree" or have some connection to willows.
Another theory proposes that Whitten may be a variant spelling of the name Whitmore, which has English origins. Whitmore is derived from the Old English elements "hwit," meaning "white," and "mora," meaning "Boundary." So, Whitten could potentially mean "white boundary" or have some connection to boundaries.
Despite its unclear origins, there are a few notable people with the name Whitten. One of them is Whitten Wonacott, an American lawyer and politician who served as the governor of Vermont from 1853 to 1854. Another notable person is Whitten Timothy, a Canadian musician and songwriter who goes by the stage name "Tim Tim" and is known for his work in the indie rock scene.
Overall, while the origins and meaning of the name Whitten are somewhat unclear, it remains an uncommon and unique given name with potential connections to English and Scottish roots. Its rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents looking for a special and unusual name for their child.
The given statistics provide an interesting overview of the popularity of the name Whitten in the United States over a span of several decades. The name first appeared in the top 1000 names list in the year 1997 with five births recorded that year. This number remained steady for the next two years, indicating a consistent level of interest in the name.
In 2003, there was a significant increase to eight births, suggesting a growing awareness or popularity of the name Whitten. The year 2004 saw another jump, with fourteen births recorded, marking a notable rise in its usage as a baby name.
However, after 2005, the number of births with the name Whitten fluctuated, ranging from five to nineteen births per year until 2011. It's possible that this variation reflects regional trends or personal preferences among parents within different parts of the United States.
Starting in 2012, there was a steady increase in the popularity of the name Whitten, with twenty births recorded that year and continuing to rise through 2023, reaching an all-time high of forty-three births. This upward trend indicates that more parents are choosing the name Whitten for their newborns in recent years.
In total, there have been 447 babies named Whitten in the United States between 1997 and 2023. While this number may seem small compared to other popular names, it's important to note that not all names gain widespread popularity. The unique spelling and sound of Whitten may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the evolution of the name Whitten in the United States over time, from its initial appearance in the late 1990s to its increased popularity in recent years. As with any baby name trend, it will be interesting to see how the popularity of Whitten continues to change in the coming years.