Find out how popular the first name Promise has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Promise by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Promise is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 94% of people named Promise being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 390 female babies and 27 male babies born with the name Promise.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 27 baby boys were named Promise in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Promise

The name Promise is an English word name derived from the noun "promise", which means an assurance or a pledge to do or give something. The name gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

While the word "promise" has been in use for centuries, its adoption as a given name is a relatively recent phenomenon. The earliest recorded use of Promise as a first name dates back to the late 19th century, but it was not until the latter half of the 20th century that it became more widely used.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the first name Promise was Promise Fanosie, a Native American woman born in Oklahoma in the late 19th century. Another early bearer of the name was Promise McSwain, an African American woman born in South Carolina in the early 20th century.

As the name gained popularity, it became associated with hopes, aspirations, and the potential for a bright future. Some parents may have chosen the name Promise as a way of expressing their hopes and dreams for their child or as a reminder of the promises they made to themselves or their child.

Notable individuals with the first name Promise throughout history include Promise Ogbonna, a Nigerian footballer born in 1987, and Promise Phelon, an American author and activist born in 1988. Promise Mukelabai was a Zambian politician and member of parliament born in the mid-20th century.

In the realm of literature, Promise is the name of a character in the novel "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, published in 1982. The character's name is symbolic of the promises and aspirations that drive the protagonist's journey.

While not as common as some other English word names, Promise has carved out a unique place in the lexicon of given names, carrying with it a sense of optimism, commitment, and the potential for a fulfilling future.

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

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

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