Quentin is a name of French origin that has gained popularity in English-speaking countries over the years. It is derived from the Latin word " Quintus ", which means "fifth ". This name was traditionally given to the fifth child in a family, but it has since evolved to be used as a standalone name.
The name Quentin has a rich history and has been carried by many notable figures throughout time. One of the most famous bearers of this name is French philosopher and author, Michel de Montaigne. He was born Michel Eyquem de Montaigne in 1533 and later adopted the pen name Michel de Montaigne, which translates to "Montaigne" meaning "mountain". His Essais, a collection of his personal essays, are considered one of the most influential works in literature.
The name Quentin has also been used by several historical figures including French poet and critic Charles Baudelaire's pseudonym, who went by the name "Quentin du Montmartre", and American author Stephen King's character "Quentin Jerome 'Q' Tarantula" in his Dark Tower series.
In terms of popularity, Quentin has consistently ranked among the top 1000 names for boys in the United States since the early 20th century. According to the Social Security Administration data, its peak popularity was in the late 1990s when it reached its highest rank at number 475.
Overall, the name Quentin is steeped in history and culture with notable bearers throughout time. Its meaning "fifth" may have been its original inspiration but has since evolved to represent a unique identity all its own.
The name Quentin has seen a varied pattern of popularity over the years in the United States, with several notable trends and peaks.
From 1900 to around 1975, there were fewer than 150 births per year on average. The highest number of births during this period was 344 in 1973. This indicates that Quentin was not a particularly popular name during these early years.
However, starting from the late 1970s, there was a significant increase in popularity for the name Quentin. In 1976, there were 521 births, and this number continued to grow steadily over the next few decades. The highest number of births recorded during this period was in 1983, with 735 births.
This trend of increasing popularity persisted until around the mid-1990s, when the number of births began to fluctuate more greatly from year to year. For instance, there were 900 births in 1995 and 965 births in 1996, but then the numbers dropped to 866 births in 1999.
After the turn of the millennium, the popularity of the name Quentin continued to vary. There was a peak in 2004 with 913 births, followed by a drop to 764 births in 2005. Since then, the numbers have generally been between 600 and 800 births per year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Quentin has declined further. In 2022, there were only 334 births, which is significantly lower than the peak years in the late 1970s to mid-1990s.
Overall, while the name Quentin has had periods of significant popularity over the past century, its current popularity appears to have decreased compared to previous decades.