Bellatrix is a unique and captivating female given name of Latin origin. Derived from the Latin word 'bellum', which means 'war', and 'rex', meaning 'king', Bellatrix translates to 'female warrior'. This name has been popularized in recent times due to its inclusion in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, where Bellatrix Lestrange is a prominent character. However, its roots date back to ancient Roman times.
In Roman mythology, Bellatrix was one of the 47 nymphs who accompanied Diana, the goddess of the hunt and chastity. She was known for her exceptional beauty and hunting skills, reflecting the strength and grace associated with the name Bellatrix.
Historically, there have been several notable figures named Bellatrix. One such example is Bellatrix Porter, a renowned American astronomer who discovered over 2,500 variable stars during her career in the late 19th century. This further emphasizes the name's connection to power, resilience, and achievement.
Despite its unique sound and powerful meaning, Bellatrix remains relatively rare as a given name. It offers parents an opportunity to bestow upon their daughter a distinctive name with deep historical roots and a compelling story behind it. For those who choose this name for their child, they are likely to raise a strong-willed individual who embodies the spirit of Bellatrix - a female warrior ready to take on life's challenges with courage and determination.
The statistics regarding the name Bellatrix show a varying trend in its popularity over the years in the United States. The name was given to five babies in 2008, marking the beginning of its recorded usage in the country.
From there, the number of births with the name Bellatrix fluctuated annually:
* Reaching 12 births in 2009,
* Dipping to 9 in 2010,
* Increasing again to 10 and 12 in 2011 and 2012 respectively,
* Then declining to single digits with 10, 9, and 6 births from 2013 to 2015.
However, since 2016, the popularity of the name Bellatrix has seen a significant increase:
* With 24 births in that year,
* Followed by 29 in 2017,
* And continuing to rise with 30 births in 2018 and 35 in 2020.
The most recent years show that the name Bellatrix has maintained its popularity:
* With 37 babies named Bellatrix in 2022,
* And a total of 25 births recorded so far in 2023.
Overall, since the year 2008 up until the present day, there have been a total of 289 babies named Bellatrix born in the United States. This data illustrates how the name's popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, with a notable upward trend in recent years.