Queenie is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Latin word "regina," which means "queen." Therefore, Queenie translates to "little queen" or "queenly one."
The name Queenie has been popular throughout history, particularly in England. Its usage dates back to the Middle Ages when it was often used as a nickname for girls named Regina or other names that ended with "- regina," such as Margaret Regina.
During the Victorian era, Queenie became even more fashionable due to its association with Queen Victoria herself. The name gained further popularity during the 20th century, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia.
In literature and popular culture, Queenie has been used as a character's name in several works, most notably in "Queenie" by Hanif Kureishi, a novel about a young woman navigating life in London. The name Queenie was also popularized by the character Queenie in the American television series "The Jeffersons."
Today, Queenie remains an uncommon yet charming name choice for parents looking for a distinctive and regal moniker for their daughter. It has a vintage feel while still sounding modern and approachable.
The name Queenie has seen a fluctuating trend in its popularity over the years in the United States. From 1880 to 2023, there have been a total of 3892 births registered with this name.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Queenie varied year by year. For instance, between 1880 and 1900, the birth count ranged from a low of 7 in 1881 to a high of 54 in 1905. However, starting from 1906, there was a noticeable increase in popularity, with more than 30 births every year until 1925.
The peak period for the name Queenie seems to be between 1916 and 1923, during which time over 50 babies were named Queenie each year. The highest number of births occurred in 1923 with 69 babies.
However, after reaching this peak, there was a decline in popularity for the name Queenie. Between 1924 and 1950, fewer than 40 babies were named Queenie every year. This trend continued until the late 1950s when the popularity of the name began to increase again.
From the 1960s onwards, the number of births with the name Queenie fluctuated significantly. Some years saw as few as 5 births (for example, in 1972), while other years saw a resurgence in popularity, such as the late 1980s and early 1990s when over 10 babies were named Queenie each year.
In recent decades, there has been a slight increase in the number of babies named Queenie. Between 2000 and 2023, there have been more than 10 births with this name every year, with peaks in 2009 (36 births), 2014 (48 births), and 2021-2023 (21 births each year). Despite these fluctuations, the name Queenie remains a unique choice for parents looking to give their child a distinctive name.