Berenice is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient city of Berenike in Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya). The name means "bringer of victory" and is composed of the elements "bereni" meaning "victory" and "-ke" which is a suffix that denotes possession or association.
The name Berenice has been popular throughout history. One notable figure was Berenice I, also known as Berenice II, who was a queen of Egypt in the 3rd century BCE. She was the wife of Ptolemy III and played an important role in politics and warfare during her reign. Another famous Berenice was Berenice II of Cyrene, who was a queen of Cyrenaica around the same time period.
The name Berenice has also been popular in literature and art throughout history. It is mentioned in several works by ancient Greek writers such as Callimachus and Theocritus, and it appears in works by later authors like Shakespeare. Additionally, there have been several notable figures throughout history who have borne the name Berenice, including a number of saints and queens.
Despite its long history, Berenice remains a relatively uncommon name today. However, it has seen some recent resurgence in popularity, particularly in English-speaking countries. It is often spelled in various ways, such as Berenice, Verenice, Veronique, or even Veronica. Regardless of spelling, the name continues to evoke images of ancient queens and literary heroines.
Statistics on the Given Name Berenice:
In the United States, the name Berenice has seen a fluctuating trend in popularity over recent years. According to data from the Social Security Administration, there were six babies named Berenice in 1993 and five babies named Berenice in 1995. This indicates that the name was not extremely popular during this period but still held some significance as it managed to appear on birth records twice within two years.
However, when considering the total births for these years, the numbers are quite striking. In 1993 alone, there were over four million births recorded in the United States. Therefore, six babies named Berenice represented a mere 0.00015% of all births that year. Similarly, in 1995, with approximately three and a half million births registered nationwide, five babies named Berenice accounted for just 0.00014% of the total.
These figures suggest that while Berenice is not one of the most commonly chosen names among American parents, it still holds some appeal as a unique choice, given its low but steady occurrence over time. It's fascinating to note how each individual name contributes to the overall tapestry of diversity in baby naming trends across different eras and cultures.
In conclusion, while Berenice may not be a ubiquitous name, it has maintained a consistent, albeit small, presence among American newborns over time. Its rarity could even be seen as an advantage for parents seeking something distinctive for their child's name.