Find out how popular the first name Vanity has been for the last 43 years (from 1982 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Vanity by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Vanity is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 18 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Vanity.

The history of the first name Vanity

The name Vanity is derived from the Latin word "vanitas," which means emptiness, futility, or worthlessness. It stems from the Latin adjective "vanus," meaning empty or vain. The name's origins can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was likely used as a descriptor or epithet rather than a proper name.

In the Christian tradition, the concept of vanity is often associated with excessive pride, arrogance, and an excessive love of worldly pleasures and possessions. The Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament frequently references vanity, warning against the pursuit of wealth, power, and earthly desires as ultimately meaningless and unfulfilling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Vanity as a given name dates back to the 17th century. Vanity Fair, a celebrated novel by William Makepeace Thackeray published in 1847-48, features a character named Vanity. This literary reference may have contributed to the name's popularity in the English-speaking world.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Vanity. Vanity Duriez (1972-1997) was a Canadian poet and writer. Vanity Fair (1959-), born Denise Katrina Matthews, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress best known for her work in the 1980s with the funk band Vanity 6.

Vanity Pomrenke (1983-) is a former American reality television personality who appeared on the shows "Rock of Love" and "I Love Money." Vanity Adonis (1958-) is an American actress and model who has appeared in several films and television shows.

Vanity Karla (1987-) is a Mexican actress and singer who has starred in various telenovelas and films. While not an exhaustive list, these individuals exemplify the use of Vanity as a first name throughout different eras and cultures.

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

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

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