Find out how popular the first name Viridiana has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Viridiana by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Viridiana is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Viridiana being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Viridiana.

The history of the first name Viridiana

The name Viridiana has its origins in Latin and Spanish. It is derived from the Latin word "viridis," meaning "green" or "verdant." The name likely emerged during the medieval period in Spain or other regions influenced by Latin and Romance languages.

Viridiana was a relatively uncommon name in ancient times, but it gained some popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in Spanish-speaking regions. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 13th-century Spanish text "Cantigas de Santa Maria," a collection of religious poems and songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The name Viridiana may have been inspired by the reverence for nature and the color green, which symbolized fertility, renewal, and the lushness of the natural world. In some contexts, the name was also associated with the idea of freshness, youth, and vitality.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Viridiana. One of the earliest recorded was Viridiana de Guadalajara (c. 1200-1270), a Spanish nun and mystic who was known for her visions and spiritual writings. Another early bearer of the name was Viridiana de Sevilla (c. 1300-1370), a Franciscan tertiary and religious scholar from Seville, Spain.

In the 16th century, Viridiana de Guzmán (1510-1589) was a Spanish noblewoman and philanthropist who founded several hospitals and charitable institutions in her native Andalusia. During the same period, Viridiana de Mendoza (1525-1591) was a prominent figure in the Spanish court, serving as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Isabella of Portugal.

In more recent times, Viridiana was the title character of the 1961 Mexican film "Viridiana" directed by Luis Buñuel. The film, which explored themes of religious devotion and moral ambiguity, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and is considered a masterpiece of Spanish cinema.

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

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

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