Pecola is an unusual and unique given name of American origin. It was popularized in the literary world by Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye," published in 1970. In the novel, Pecola Breedlove is the protagonist, a young African-American girl growing up in Ohio during the Great Depression.
The name Pecola does not have a specific meaning or origin like many other names. It was invented by Toni Morrison for her character and has since become associated with her novel. However, some people believe that it might be derived from the name "Petal," as it has a similar sound and could represent the delicate beauty of a flower.
Before Toni Morrison's novel, Pecola was not a widely used name. After its publication, it gained popularity among African-American families who identified with the character and her story. Today, Pecola is still considered an uncommon name but is often associated with African-American culture and literature.
In summary, Pecola is a unique given name of American origin that was popularized by Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye." It does not have a specific meaning or historical significance beyond its association with the novel. Despite this, it has become an important part of African-American cultural heritage and continues to be used today.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Pecola in the United States from 1900 to 1987. The highest number of births occurred in 1920, with a total of 28 babies named Pecola born that year. This was followed by another peak in 1956, with 12 births.
However, the popularity of the name Pecola has fluctuated significantly over time. There were several years where only one baby was named Pecola (1900, 1943, and 1944), and some years where there were no recorded births with that name (1960-1963). The total number of births with the name Pecola from 1900 to 1987 was 788.
It's important to note that these statistics may not account for all instances of the name Pecola due to factors such as spelling variations, data collection methods, and changes in naming trends over time. Nonetheless, they provide a general overview of the popularity of the name Pecola in the United States during the 20th century.
Overall, while the name Pecola has had its moments of popularity, it remains relatively rare compared to other names in the United States.