Holding steady.
Popularity of Ponciano since 1915
Babies named Ponciano per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ponciano's real moment was 1915.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 7 |
| 1920s | 46 |
| 1930s | 16 |
| 1940s | 30 |
| 1950s | 30 |
| 1960s | 55 |
| 1970s | 36 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 19 |
| 2000s | 8 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ponciano is a rare Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1915, the same year it reached its peak rank of 999. Since then, the name has disappeared from the top 1000, reflecting a trajectory of near-extinction as a given name. Its 1-in-N incidence is so low as to be unmeasurable, and it has never been associated with any particular state. Despite its obscurity, Ponciano carries the weight of early Christian martyrdom and papal history, making it a distinctive choice for families honoring those traditions.
Ponciano is a Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese form of the Latin name Pontianus, derived from 'pontius', which means 'of the sea' or 'bridge'. The name was borne by several early Christian saints and popes, most notably Pope Pontianus (reigned 230-235 AD). It has been used in the Hispanic world since the Middle Ages, though it has become rare in recent decades.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Poncho, Ponce
Variants: Pontiano, Ponziano
Sibling names for Ponciano
Names that share Ponciano's style, for a brother or sister.
