The name Wash is of African origin and means "happy". It is derived from the Mandinka tribe's word "wasi" which means "happiness".
Wash has a long history, dating back to the 15th century when it was used by the Mandinka people who inhabited West Africa. The name was brought to the Americas during the slave trade and has since been adopted by many African American families.
The name Wash is often associated with the character Tom Sawyer's friend in Mark Twain's novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". However, this association does not detract from its significance as a standalone name with its own history and meaning.
Based on the statistics provided, we can see that the number of babies named Wash has varied over time in the United States.
From 1880 to 1972, there were a total of 1196 births where the child was given the name Wash. The most popular years for this name were 1914 and 1915, with 23 and 26 births respectively. This suggests that there may have been some trend or event during this time period that led to an increase in parents choosing this name.
However, it's important to note that the number of Wash births has been quite low overall. In fact, many years saw fewer than 10 babies being named Wash, with some years even seeing only a single birth with this name. For example, there were only 5 births each in 1969 and 1972.
Overall, while the name Wash has seen some popularity over time in the United States, it has never been one of the most common names given to babies. Parents who choose this name may be looking for something unique and distinctive for their child.