Find out how popular the first name Solstice has been for the last 19 years (from 2005 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Solstice by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Solstice is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 90% of people named Solstice being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 16 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Solstice.

The history of the first name Solstice

The name Solstice has its roots in the Latin word "solstitium," which refers to the two times of the year when the sun appears to stand still in the sky – the summer solstice and the winter solstice. This celestial event was of great significance to many ancient cultures, and the name likely originated as a reference to the solstice celebrations and rituals.

The earliest recorded use of the name Solstice dates back to the Roman era, where it was sometimes used as a nickname or a symbolic name given to children born around the time of the solstice. In ancient Rome, the summer solstice was celebrated as the festival of Fors Fortuna, while the winter solstice marked the Saturnalia festival.

Throughout history, the name Solstice has been used sparingly but has appeared in various contexts. One notable historical figure was Solstice of Arles, a 5th-century Gallo-Roman writer and poet who lived in what is now southern France. His work, though largely lost to time, was reportedly influenced by the pagan traditions and solstice celebrations of his region.

Another individual of note was Solstice of Würzburg, a German monk and scribe who lived in the 9th century. He is known for his meticulous work in transcribing and preserving ancient manuscripts, some of which contained references to solstice rituals and astronomical observations.

In the 12th century, there was a Solstice of Verona, an Italian noblewoman who was said to have been given the name in honor of her birth coinciding with the summer solstice. She is mentioned in several historical records and chronicles of the time, though details about her life are scarce.

During the Renaissance period, the name Solstice gained some popularity among intellectuals and artists who were fascinated by ancient mythology and astronomy. One such individual was Solstice Galilei, a distant relative of the renowned astronomer Galileo Galilei, who lived in the 16th century and was known for his intricate solstice-themed paintings and frescoes.

In more recent times, the name Solstice has been used as a given name, albeit rarely. One notable example is Solstice Evergreen, an American author and environmentalist born in the mid-20th century, who wrote extensively about the importance of preserving natural solstice celebrations and traditions.

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

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

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