Cosby is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls in recent years. It is derived from the Old Norse given name Kosi, which means "generous" or "bountiful." This name was brought to England by Viking settlers and became popular during the Middle Ages.
The name Cosby has a long history of use in England. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name was in the 13th century, when a man named Cosby was listed as a witness in a deed in Worcestershire, England. Throughout the centuries, the name has been passed down through generations and has been used by various families throughout England.
Cosby is also associated with the village of Cosby in Leicestershire, England. The village is believed to have derived its name from the Old Norse personal name Kosi or a variant form of it. The village was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as "Cossebi."
Today, Cosby remains a popular given name in England and other English-speaking countries around the world. It is often associated with generosity, kindness, and bountifulness due to its meaning. Despite its Old Norse origins, the name has been anglicized over time and is now considered an English name.
In literature and pop culture, Cosby has been used as a character name in various works. For example, it was the surname of the main character in the American television sitcom "The Cosby Show," which aired from 1984 to 1992. However, this usage is not related to the origin or meaning of the name itself.
Overall, Cosby is a unique and historical given name with Old Norse roots that has been used throughout England for centuries. Its meaning of generosity and bountifulness makes it an attractive choice for parents looking for a meaningful name for their child.
Statistics on the given name Cosby in the United States:
The name Cosby was a popular choice among parents in the early to mid-20th century in the United States. The highest number of births with this name occurred in 1925 and 1928, with 12 newborns each year. This peak can be considered as the most popular period for the name Cosby.
After these years, the popularity of the name started to decline. From 1930 onwards, there were fewer than 10 births per year with the name Cosby, indicating a decrease in its popularity during this decade.
The lowest point occurred in 1959 and 1968, with only 5 births each year. This shows that by the mid-20th century, the name Cosby was not as commonly used compared to its peak years earlier on.
Interestingly, there were still some births with the name Cosby even after the 1970s, but in smaller numbers. The most recent data available is from 1975, which shows that there were 6 newborns named Cosby that year.
In total, between 1914 and 1975, there were 212 births of individuals named Cosby in the United States. This demonstrates that while the name may not have been as popular in recent decades, it did have a notable presence throughout much of the 20th century.
Overall, these statistics provide insight into the popularity trends of the name Cosby over time in the United States.