Monica
Girl name · 554 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Monica: 554 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 39 births in 1997.
Monica is a name of ancient origin, most commonly derived from the Latin or possibly Phoenician word meaning "advisor" or "unique." It gained prominence through Saint Monica, the devoted mother of Saint Augustine, whose patience and piety made her a revered figure in Christian history. The name is famously associated with Academy Award-winning actress Monica Bellucci, an icon of Italian cinema. Monica in the Bible is not found; its popularity was largely driven by the saint's cult. The name also connects to Monica, the capital of the Indian state of Goa, though this is a coincidence rather than a direct etymology. A notable variant is Monique, the French spelling, popularised by several fashion models. Interestingly, the name saw a surge in Scotland during the 1960s and 1970s, peaking in 1975, perhaps reflecting the influence of the TV character Monica in the popular series *Friends*.
Girl 43 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 199739 babies
- Latest (2024)
- #7903 babies
- Total births
- 554since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 40%vs prior 5y