Edessa is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "abundance" or "wealthy." It comes from the Hebrew word "'adash," which means "noble" or "generous." Edessa was also an ancient city in modern-day Turkey, founded by a Seleucid king named Antiochus I around 303 BCE. The name of the city is thought to have been derived from the Greek word "oikos," meaning "house" or "home."
In the Middle East, Edessa was known as the birthplace of several important figures in history and religion. One notable example is Saint Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have preached Christianity in Edessa after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The name Edessa has been used throughout history by various cultures and religions. It was a popular name among Jews in ancient times, and it has also been adopted by Christians as a female equivalent of the male name Edward, which means "wealthy guardian" in Old English.
Today, Edessa is still a relatively uncommon given name for girls, but it continues to be used throughout the world. Its unique origins and history make it an intriguing choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Edessa has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, with birth numbers ranging from as low as five to as high as eight.
Looking at the statistics, we can see that there were eight births recorded for the name Edessa in 1917. After a significant drop, the number of births began to fluctuate:
* Five births were recorded in 1968.
* Six births occurred in 1992.
* Five more babies were named Edessa in 1999.
* The number increased slightly to seven in 2003.
* It then dropped back down to five in 2006.
Interestingly, the name began to regain popularity in the early 2000s:
* Six births were recorded again in both 2014 and 2015.
* The number dipped slightly to five in 2016.
* It then peaked once more at eight births in 2018.
Overall, since 1917, a total of sixty-one babies have been named Edessa in the United States.