Find out how popular the first name Balthazar has been for the last 23 years (from 2001 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Balthazar by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Balthazar is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Balthazar.

The history of the first name Balthazar

The name Balthazar has its origins in Aramaic, an ancient Semitic language spoken in the Middle East. It is derived from the Babylonian name Bel-shar-usur, which means "Bel (the god) protect the king". The name was popular among the Babylonians during the 6th-7th centuries BC.

In the Bible, Balthazar was one of the three wise men or Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. This reference in the New Testament contributed to the spread and popularity of the name among early Christians.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Balthazar Gérard, a Catholic fanatic who assassinated William the Silent, Prince of Orange, in 1584. The name gained further prominence in the 17th century with Balthasar Gracián, a Spanish Jesuit priest and philosopher who wrote influential works on ethics and rhetoric.

In the 18th century, Balthazar Denner was a renowned German painter known for his highly realistic portraits. Another notable figure was Balthazar Bekker, a Dutch minister and writer who challenged the belief in witchcraft and possession in his works.

The 19th century saw Balthazar Siemiątkowski, a Polish general who fought in the Napoleonic Wars, and Balthazar Goldstein, a Polish-German chess master and one of the strongest players of his time.

More recently, Balthazar Getty was an American actor and member of the Getty family, known for his roles in films like Lord of the Flies and Lost Highway. Balthazar Bratt was also the name of a fictional villain in the Despicable Me animated film series.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Balthazar was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Balthazar, please contact us.

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