Monica

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

It is uncertain the exact origin of the name Monica. Some believe that it’s from the Latin word “moneo”, which means to advise, warn, or counsel. It may also be from the Greek word “monos, monè” which means alone, solitary, or unique. ^[1]

The name might also be derived from the Latin source nonnica, from the word for nun, nonna. ^[1]

The most famous bearer of the name was Saint Monica, who came from Carthage in Northern Africa. Therefore, its origin might also be North African/Phonecian. ^[1]

POPULARITY

Monica ranked 131st in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 U.S. Census, and it ranked 182nd in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics. Listed in the top 100 names from 1978 until 1998, it’s popularity has begun to decline in recent years. ^[1]

• 2006: Rank = 250
• 2005: Rank = 239
• 2004: Rank = 226
• 2003: Rank = 207
• 2002: Rank = 180
• 2001: Rank = 182
• 2000: Rank = 167
• 1999: Rank = 151
• 1998: Rank = 105
• 1997: Rank = 79 ^[1]

FACTS

Saint Monica (322?-387) was the mother of Saint Augustine, a “father of the church” in 4th century A.D. Given in marriage to a man with a violent temper from her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa, Monica was constantly criticized for her piety and charity. Her prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Monica had three children which survived infancy, the oldest being Augustine. When he began living an immoral and destructive life, Monica stayed close by, praying for him all the while. Shortly after he was baptized, Monica became ill and died. Almost all we know about St. Monica is in the writings of St. Augustine, especially his Confessions. ^[1]

NAMESAKES

• Santa Monica, California – an urban beach community near Los Angeles, California
• Monica Geller – Fictional character portratyed by Courteney Cox on the television sitcom “Friends”
• Monica Quartermaine – Fictional character on the soap opera “General Hospital”
• Monica Breedlove – Fictional character in The Bad Seed by William March
• Monica Macklin – Fictional character in Stephen King’s novel It

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Monica Lewinsky (b. 1973) – White house intern who had an affair with U.S. President Bill Clinton.
• Monica Bellucci (b. 1964) – Italian actress whose American films include Tears of the Sun and The Passion of the Christ
• Monica Shannon (1905?-1965) – 1935 Newberry Medal Winner for her book Dobry
• Monica Seles (b. 1973) - Yugoslavian-born American tennis player and the 1991-92 U.S. Open tennis champion, the 1992 French Open tennis champion, the 1996 Australian Open tennis champion, and the 1991-92 Associated Press Athlete of the Year

NOTES

OTHER MONICA'S

Monica Chan, Monica Aachen, Monica Aarthun, Monica Aarvik, Monica Aasen, Monica Abalony, Monica Abanathie, Monica Abbe, Monica Abbitt, Monica Abboud, Monica Paola, Monica Aanderson, Monica Abadia, Monica Abarca, Monica Abare, Monica Abbey, Monica Abbud, Monica Abdallah, Monica Allina, Monica Ampolitod, Monica Aakhus, Monica Aakre, Monica Abbatessa, Monica Abbuhl, Monica Alons, Monica Aalbers, Monica Aarhus, Monica Aaron, Monica Aasheim, Monica Aaskov, Monica Ababa, Monica Abad, Monica Abadie, Monica Abanto, Monica Abarro, Monica Abarzua, Monica Abasciano, Monica Abasolo, Monica Abasta, Monica Abatecola, Monica Abato, Monica Abaya, Monica Abba, Monica Abbamonte, Monica Abbananto, Monica Abbas, Monica Abbate, Monica Abbi, Monica Abbonizio, Monica Abboptt, More results

Author: Samantha Bell