Find out how popular the first name Calvary has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Calvary by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Calvary is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 58% of people named Calvary being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 female babies and 10 male babies born with the name Calvary.

The history of the first name Calvary

The name Calvary is derived from the Latin word "calvaria", which means "skull". It is believed to have originated from the Aramaic word "gulgutha" or the Hebrew word "gulgoleth", both of which refer to a skull-shaped hill or mound.

This name is closely associated with the biblical account of Jesus' crucifixion. According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified on a hill called Golgotha, which is translated as "the place of the skull" or "Calvary" in some versions of the Bible. The name Calvary is often used to refer to this site, which is located in Jerusalem.

The earliest recorded use of the name Calvary in reference to the crucifixion site can be found in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is mentioned as the place where Jesus was crucified and buried.

While the name Calvary is not commonly used as a given name, there are a few notable individuals who have carried this name throughout history. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Calvary was Saint Calvary, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD and was executed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Decius.

Another notable figure with the name Calvary was Calvary Morris (1785-1865), an American Baptist minister and abolitionist who was actively involved in the anti-slavery movement in the United States.

In literature, the name Calvary is featured in John Bunyan's allegorical work "The Pilgrim's Progress", where it is depicted as a place of spiritual significance and a representation of the crucifixion of Christ.

The name Calvary is also associated with the Calvary Chapel movement, a Protestant evangelical Christian movement founded in the 1960s by Chuck Smith. The name "Calvary" is often used in the names of churches and ministries affiliated with this movement.

While not a common given name, Calvary has a rich historical and religious significance, primarily stemming from its association with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and its biblical roots.

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

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

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