Pike is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the English word "pike," which refers to a type of freshwater fish found in North America, Europe, and Asia. The name Pike has been used as a given name primarily in the United States since the mid-20th century.
The meaning behind the name Pike is not explicitly clear, but it is often associated with the qualities of strength, determination, and adaptability, as these are attributes commonly associated with the pike fish. In some cultures, the pike is also seen as a symbol of courage and wisdom due to its ability to navigate challenging waters.
There is no significant historical figure or notable person named Pike that has contributed to the popularity of this name. However, it has been used in literature and popular culture, most notably in "The Friends of Eddie Coyle," a novel by George V. Higgins, where one of the main characters shares the name Pike.
In terms of its usage as a given name, Pike has never been particularly common but has appeared occasionally in birth records throughout the United States since the mid-20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Pike was first recorded as being given to five boys and one girl in 1956. Since then, its usage has remained relatively low, with fewer than ten babies named Pike each year.
Despite its limited popularity, Pike remains an intriguing and distinctive name option for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child. Its connection to nature and the qualities associated with the pike fish make it an appealing choice for those interested in names with a deeper meaning behind them.
The given statistics show the annual number of births for the name Pike in the United States from 1975 to 2023. Over this period, there has been a total of 214 births.
Starting with the year 1975, there were five births, and this remained consistent until 1997 when again, there were five births recorded. This pattern continued into the new millennium with five births each in 2000 and 2001. However, from 2002 onwards, we start to see an increase in the number of births.
In 2002 and 2003, there were six births each year. This number remained consistent until 2005 when it jumped up to six births again. The years 2006 also saw a similar number with six births recorded.
However, starting from 2009, we see a significant increase in the popularity of this name as there were twelve births that year. This was followed by eight births in 2010 and then a dramatic rise to sixteen births each in 2011 and 2012.
Thereafter, the number of births fluctuated quite considerably with six births in 2013, seventeen in 2014, eleven in 2015, nine in 2016 and fourteen each in 2017 and 2018. The year 2019 saw a decrease to seven births.
The recent years show a resurgence with eleven births each in 2020 and 2021, followed by another increase to twelve births in 2022. This trend continued into the latest available data for 2023 where again there were eleven births recorded.
These statistics highlight how the popularity of the name Pike has varied over time, with periods of consistent birth numbers interspersed with periods of significant growth and decline.