Belva is a unique and captivating female given name of American origin. The name Belva is derived from the German word "bel" which means beautiful or fair. Therefore, the name Belva signifies beauty or fairness.
The earliest known use of the name Belva can be traced back to the United States in the late 19th century. It was popularized by prominent American women's rights activist and lawyer, Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood (born as Belva Ann Bennett). Born in 1830 in Upstate New York, Belva Ann Bennett was a pioneering figure who fought for women's suffrage and equal rights. Her notable accomplishments include being the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1879 and running for President of the United States as the Equal Rights Party candidate in 1884.
Inspired by her courageous efforts towards gender equality, some parents began naming their daughters Belva as a tribute to her legacy. This trend continued throughout the early to mid-20th century but has since declined in popularity.
Today, Belva remains an uncommon yet distinctive name, carrying with it a powerful history of female empowerment and progress. Although its usage may not be widespread, those who bear this unique moniker carry a strong and meaningful name that pays homage to one of America's early feminist leaders.
Belva is a rare and unique name that has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1881 and 2007, there were a total of 7,955 babies named Belva, with the most popular years being around the early to mid-20th century.
The name first started to gain traction in the late 1880s, with 66 births recorded in both 1884 and 1888. However, it was not until the early 1900s that Belva began to see consistent popularity, with over 30 births each year from 1905 to 1929.
The name reached its peak in popularity during the 1910s and 1920s. In fact, between 1912 and 1928, there were at least 97 births every year, with a high of 184 births recorded in 1927. This period saw Belva ranked as one of the top 500 names for girls during this time.
Interestingly, even after its peak popularity, Belva remained relatively consistent throughout the mid-20th century, with an average of around 30 births per year between 1940 and 1965. However, starting in the late 1960s, the number of babies named Belva began to decline significantly, dropping below 20 births per year by 1970.
Despite this decline in popularity, there were still occasional spikes in the name's usage, with a notable increase to 12 births recorded in 1980. However, after that point, Belva's popularity continued to dwindle, with fewer than 10 babies named each year from 1983 onwards.
In recent years, there have been very few instances of the name Belva being given to newborns in the United States, with only five births recorded between 1996 and 2007. While it may not be as popular now as it once was, Belva remains a distinctive and historically significant name that has been passed down through generations of American families.
Overall, the statistics show that while Belva may not have maintained consistent popularity throughout history, there have been periods where it was quite common, particularly during the early to mid-20th century. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, the name continues to hold a unique place in American naming traditions and is sure to remain an interesting choice for parents looking for something different for their daughters.