Find out how popular the first name Gentiana has been for the last 12 years (from 1996 to 2007) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gentiana by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Gentiana is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2007, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gentiana.

The history of the first name Gentiana

The name Gentiana originates from the Latin word "gentiana", which refers to the gentian plant, a group of flowering plants from the genus Gentiana. This genus is named after Gentius, an ancient Illyrian king who ruled over a region that is now part of modern-day Albania and North Macedonia in the 2nd century BC. He is said to have discovered the medicinal properties of these plants.

The name Gentiana was likely first used as a personal name during the Roman era, as the Romans were known to name individuals after plants, flowers, and natural elements. It may have been a feminine name derived from the Latin word "gentianus", meaning "of or belonging to the Gentius family or tribe".

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Gentiana, a Roman woman mentioned in an inscription from the 2nd century AD found in Gaul (modern-day France). This inscription suggests that the name was already in use during the Roman period.

In the 16th century, the Swiss naturalist and botanist Konrad Gesner (1516-1565) used the Latin name "Gentiana" to refer to the gentian plant in his influential work on plants, "Historia Plantarum". This helped to solidify the association between the name and the plant genus.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gentiana, including:

1. Gentiana Ferri (born c. 1494), an Italian Renaissance painter known for her religious works and portraits.
2. Gentiana Hervart (1520-1568), a German Renaissance painter and printmaker from Strasbourg.
3. Gentiana Canavese (1667-1718), an Italian painter and engraver active in Turin during the Baroque period.
4. Gentiana Ville (1676-1723), a French botanist and naturalist who contributed to the study of plant taxonomy.
5. Gentiana Roser (1841-1902), a Swiss painter known for her landscape and genre paintings depicting rural life in Switzerland.

While the name Gentiana has its roots in ancient times, it has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, likely due to its botanical origins and association with the gentian plant. Nonetheless, it has been used across various cultures and time periods, often by individuals with connections to the arts, sciences, or natural world.

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

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

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