Germaine Unisex
Origin(s)
Pronunciationjer-MAIN / /ʒɛrˈmeɪn/French; Latin
Meaning
French: 'brother'; Latin: 'germinate'
Historical & Cultural Background
Germaine is derived from the Latin name Germānus, which means 'brother' or 'from Germany'. It has been used in various cultures, particularly in French-speaking regions. The name has historical significance due to its association with Saint Germaine, a 17th-century French saint known for her piety and charity. Germaine has been used as both a masculine and feminine name, though it is more commonly recognized as feminine.
Trend Summary
Germaine has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline in usage over recent decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Germaine
- Germain
International Variants
- Germain (French)
- Gerardo (Spanish)
- Germano (Italian)
Famous people named Germaine
Germaine Greer was an Australian feminist writer and academic known for her influential works on women's rights.
Germaine de Staël was a French novelist and political theorist who played a significant role in the literary and political life of her time.
Fictional characters named Germaine
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Germaine was first seen in the United States in 1967. Germaine has ranked as high as #934 nationally, which occurred in 1972, and has been most popular in New York, Illinois, Louisiana, California, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Germaine has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Germaine (2010)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1970 | 29 |
| 1971 | 95 |
| 1972 | 157 |
| 1973 | 146 |
| 1974 | 113 |
| 1975 | 97 |
| 1976 | 91 |
| 1977 | 92 |
| 1978 | 76 |
| 1979 | 76 |
| 1980 | 93 |
| 1981 | 78 |
| 1982 | 77 |
| 1983 | 55 |
| 1984 | 68 |
| 1985 | 49 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1987 | 49 |
| 1988 | 28 |
| 1989 | 32 |
| 1990 | 44 |
| 1991 | 32 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 53 |
| 1994 | 37 |
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1996 | 29 |
| 1997 | 34 |
| 1998 | 35 |
| 1999 | 30 |
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 37 |
| 2003 | 24 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 25 |
| 2006 | 21 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2008 | 23 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2010 | 29 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 25 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 6 |