Savant first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Savant has been for the last 16 years (from 2008 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Savant

A French term referring to someone with remarkable knowledge or ability.

Popularity of Savant by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Savant is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Savant.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 7 0
2020 7 0
2019 8 0
2016 5 0
2015 7 0
2010 5 0
2008 5 0

The history of the first name Savant

The given name Savant is derived from the French word "savant," which means "learned" or "knowledgeable." It has its roots in the Latin word "sapere," meaning "to be wise" or "to have knowledge." The name is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages in France, where it was used to describe scholars, intellectuals, and those possessing exceptional knowledge or skills.

In the 17th century, the term "savant" was commonly used to refer to members of academic societies, such as the French Academy of Sciences. It became a title of respect for individuals renowned for their expertise and contributions to various fields of study.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Savant can be found in the writings of French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes (1596-1650). He referred to himself as a "savant" in several of his works, reflecting his status as a prominent thinker and intellectual of his time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Savant, including Savant Singh (1886-1959), an Indian mathematician and astronomer known for his contributions to the theory of relativity and celestial mechanics. Another famous Savant was Savant Kaur (1892-1962), a Sikh activist and social reformer who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement.

In the field of literature, Savant Dhingra (1921-2006) was an acclaimed Indian poet and writer who received the Sahitya Akademi Award, India's highest literary honor, for his contributions to Punjabi literature.

The name Savant has also been associated with individuals renowned for their exceptional talents or abilities, often referred to as "savants." For example, Savant Kim Peek (1951-2009) was an American man with an extraordinary memory and remarkable abilities in arithmetic, geography, and other fields, despite having significant developmental disabilities.

Another notable individual with the name Savant was Savant Truman Capote (1924-1984), an American novelist and screenwriter known for his works such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "In Cold Blood."

While the name Savant has its origins in France and is more commonly found in French-speaking regions, it has also been adopted in various cultures and languages around the world, often reflecting the desire to honor individuals with exceptional knowledge, skills, or intellectual pursuits.

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

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

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"Savant first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 8, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/savant-meaning-and-history/.

"Savant first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/savant-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 8 May, 2025

Savant first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/savant-meaning-and-history/.

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