Find out how popular the first name Litany has been for the last 1 years (from 1985 to 1985) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Litany by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Litany is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1985, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Litany.

The history of the first name Litany

The name Litany has its origins in the Late Latin word "litania," which itself is derived from the Greek word "litaneia," meaning "supplication" or "prayer." This name is closely tied to the religious practice of litanies, which are a series of invocations and supplications that are typically recited or chanted in Christian worship.

The earliest recorded use of the name Litany can be traced back to the 5th century AD, when it was used in reference to the litanies performed during religious ceremonies. In the early days of Christianity, litanies were often used as a form of public prayer, with the congregation responding to the leader's invocations with a repeated refrain.

While the name Litany is not commonly used as a given name today, it has been recorded throughout history in various religious texts and historical documents. One notable example is the Litany of the Saints, which is a traditional Catholic litany that invokes the intercession of the saints and the Virgin Mary.

In terms of notable individuals bearing the name Litany, the first recorded person was Litany of Tours, a 5th-century Christian martyr who was executed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire. Another noteworthy figure was Litany of Milan, a 6th-century bishop who was known for his efforts in promoting the use of litanies in religious services.

In the Middle Ages, the name Litany was occasionally used as a given name, although its usage was relatively rare. One notable example was Litany of Cologne (1230-1293), a German mystic and author who wrote extensively on the spiritual life and the practice of contemplation.

During the Renaissance period, the name Litany saw a slight resurgence in popularity, particularly among religious scholars and writers. One such individual was Litany of Auxerre (1460-1529), a French theologian and author who wrote a commentary on the Litany of the Saints.

In more recent times, the name Litany has been used sparingly as a given name, often in reference to its religious and historical significance. One notable example was Litany Lovejoy (1890-1967), an American writer and activist who was known for her work in promoting social justice and civil rights.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!