Berenice first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Berenice has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Berenice

One bringing victory, from the Greek name meaning "bringer of victory".

Popularity of Berenice by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Berenice is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Berenice being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 43 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Berenice.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 43
2022 0 39
2021 0 47
2020 0 63
2019 0 79
2018 0 72
2017 0 91
2016 0 89
2015 0 59
2014 0 73
2013 0 102
2012 0 129
2011 0 109
2010 0 147
2009 0 228
2008 0 192
2007 0 204
2006 0 252
2005 0 235
2004 0 231
2003 0 281
2002 0 274
2001 0 308
2000 0 276
1999 0 263
1998 0 282
1997 0 236
1996 0 281
1995 5 326
1994 0 268
1993 6 300
1992 0 242
1991 0 202
1990 0 152
1989 0 164
1988 0 111
1987 0 81
1986 0 79
1985 0 71
1984 0 63
1983 0 55
1982 0 64
1981 0 51
1980 0 48
1979 0 29
1978 0 26
1977 0 38
1976 0 21
1975 0 20
1974 0 21

The history of the first name Berenice

The name Berenice has its origins in the ancient Macedonian language and culture, dating back to around the 4th century BC. It is derived from the Greek word "phereniké," which means "bringing victory." This name was particularly popular among the ruling Ptolemaic dynasty of ancient Egypt, which was of Greek Macedonian descent.

One of the earliest known references to the name Berenice can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. He mentioned a woman named Berenice who was the wife of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, in the 6th century BC.

In the 3rd century BC, Berenice II of Egypt, also known as Berenice Syra, was a powerful and influential figure. She was the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Arsinoe I, and she ruled as the co-regent of Egypt alongside her husband, Ptolemy III Euergetes.

Another famous Berenice was Berenice IV of Egypt, who lived in the 1st century BC. She was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and the last queen of the Ptolemaic dynasty. She was briefly married to Ptolemy XIII, but their marriage was annulled, and she was eventually executed by Ptolemy XIV.

In the field of mathematics, Berenice is also the name of a significant ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher from the 3rd century BC. She is credited with developing the method of exhaustion, which was a precursor to the integral calculus.

Berenice was also the name of a Christian saint and martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. She was a virgin from Syria who was martyred for her faith during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Throughout history, several other notable figures have borne the name Berenice. These include Berenice Abbott, an American photographer active in the 20th century, and Berenice Bejo, a contemporary French actress known for her roles in films such as "The Artist" and "The Past."

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 Berenice was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Berenice first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/berenice-meaning-and-history/.

"Berenice first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/berenice-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Berenice first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/berenice-meaning-and-history/.

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