Panagiotis is a Greek masculine given name derived from the Greek word "panagios" which means "all holy". It is composed of two elements: "pan-" meaning "all", and "-agios" meaning "holy".
The name Panagiotis has been popular in Greece for centuries, with its use dating back to at least the Byzantine era. During this time, it was often given to children born around religious holidays or feast days, as a way of expressing gratitude for divine protection and blessing.
Historically, many Greek Orthodox monks have adopted the name Panagiotis upon entering monastic life. This practice can be traced back to Saint Panteleimon, who is considered the patron saint of physicians and healing in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Saint Panteleimon was originally named Pantaleon but changed his name to Panteleimon after becoming a monk.
In modern times, Panagiotis remains a common given name among Greek-speaking communities around the world. While it may seem less popular than some other Greek names like Georgios or Nikolaos, it is still used regularly and has a significant historical and cultural legacy in Greece.
The name Panagiotis has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, as reflected in the birth statistics provided.
In the early 1960s to late 1970s, there was a steady increase in births with this name. The highest peak during this period was in 1975, with 39 births, which is quite significant considering the relatively low numbers in the preceding years. This suggests that Panagiotis gained some popularity during this time.
However, from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, there was a decrease in the number of births with the name Panagiotis. The lowest point was reached in 1986 with only 19 births. This could indicate a decline in popularity for this name during this period.
After the mid-1980s, the numbers started to rise again, although they did not reach the levels of the late 1970s. The birth statistics remained relatively stable, fluctuating between around 15 to 30 births per year until the early 2000s.
From the mid-2000s onwards, there was another slight increase in popularity for the name Panagiotis, with numbers ranging from around 18 to 24 births per year. However, since 2017, there has been a noticeable decrease, with only around 13 to 16 births per year.
In total, over the period of available data (1963 to 2023), there have been 1283 births registered with the name Panagiotis in the United States. This demonstrates that while the popularity of this name has varied significantly over time, it remains a notable choice among parents across several decades.
It's important to note that these statistics only represent a snapshot of the popularity of the name Panagiotis in the United States and do not account for other countries or regions where this name might be popular. Additionally, these figures may not reflect all births registered with the name Panagiotis, as some parents might choose not to register their child's birth or use variations of the name that are not captured in these statistics.
Lastly, it is always fascinating to observe trends in naming practices over time, and these statistics offer valuable insights into how the popularity of the name Panagiotis has evolved in the United States.