Find out how popular the first name Harlequin has been for the last 8 years (from 2009 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Harlequin by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Harlequin is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Harlequin.

The history of the first name Harlequin

The given name Harlequin originates from the French word 'Harlequin', which was derived from the Italian 'Arlecchino'. The name has its roots in the commedia dell'arte theatrical tradition that emerged in Italy in the 16th century. Harlequin was one of the principal stock characters in this form of improvisational theater, known for his distinctive costume featuring a multicolored, diamond-patterned outfit and a black half-mask.

The character of Harlequin is believed to have been inspired by the mischievous and cunning servant roles from ancient Roman comedies. The name itself may be connected to the Old French term 'hellequin', which referred to a mythical, devilish figure. Some scholars also suggest links to the Germanic word 'helleken', meaning a 'little devil' or 'demon'.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Harlequin was in the play "Il Capitano" by Italian playwright Andrea Calmo, written around 1570. In this work, the character Arlecchino or Harlequin was depicted as a witty and acrobatic servant from the region of Bergamo, northern Italy.

Throughout history, the name Harlequin has been associated with several notable individuals. Battista Sarnelli (1572-1618), an Italian actor from Naples, gained fame for his portrayal of the Harlequin character on stage. Another prominent figure was Carlo Goldoni (1707-1793), an Italian playwright who popularized the Harlequin character in his works.

In the realm of literature, the name Harlequin has been used by authors like Thomas Middleton in his play "The World Tost at Tennis" (1620), and Miguel de Cervantes in his novel "Don Quixote" (1615), where a character named Harlequin appears.

In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition through the work of French artist Paul Cézanne (1839-1906), who created several paintings depicting the Harlequin figure, such as "Harlequin" (1888-1890) and "The Bather" (1885-1887).

Another notable individual associated with the name Harlequin was the French magician and film producer Georges Méliès (1861-1938), who starred in the silent film "The Merry Frolics of Satan" (1906), where he played a Harlequin character.

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

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

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