Garden Hyacinth, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
She’s a subtle floral name, and a rarity in the English language.
Thanks to Shannon for suggesting Jacinta as our Baby Name of the Day.
Plenty of floral names have a long history, but Hyacinth might take the prize. A boy born around the year 100 answered to the name. He was Christian by birth, but worked as a servant in the Emperor’s household. This proved to be a very dangerous assignment. Hyacinth’s faith was found out, and he ended up tortured in prison, where he eventually starved to death.
Despite his status as a Christian saint and martyr, his name came straight from Greek myth. Hyacinth was a handsome Spartan prince. While frolicking with the god Apollo, Hyacinth was struck by a discus and died. It may be that Zephyrus, the West Wind, re-directed the discus out of jealousy.
The flower was created by Hyacinth’s spilled blood.
Hyacinth’s origins are uncertain, but he probably pre-dates the Greek language.
The ancient Spartans held an annual summer festival called the Hyacinthia in his honor, and the name remained in use.
Another Christian martyr lived in the third century. Hyacinth of Poland was a reformer ten centuries later.
In between, the name traveled throughout European languages: Jacinto, Jacenty, Giacinto, Hyacinthe. The Polish saint was probably known as Jacek for everyday use.
Feminine forms evolved, too: Hyacinthe, Jacinthe, Giacinta, Jacintha, and Jacinta.
A sixteenth century Italian nun was known as Saint Giacinta or Hyacintha, but her birth name was Clarice. There’s also Jacinta Marto, one of the children in Fátima, Portugal who witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
In more recent years, two bearers of the name come to mind:
- There’s the NSA agent/Bond Girl played by Halle Berry, Giacinta Johnson, known as Jinx.
- Jacinda Barrett made her name on The Real World: London before embarking on a successful acting career.
There’s much to love about Jacinta. She sounds like a sister for Isabella and Sophia.
Trendy short form Jacie is built right in, too.
Instead, none of the spellings have ever cracked the US Top 1000. Jacinta did well in the 1980s, and Jacinda climbed briefly in the 1990s. But Giacinta and Hyacinth are almost completely unknown in the US.
I’ll admit a slight preference for the -d spelling, if only because she brings to mind Lucinda, another favorite of mine.
The 1990s Britcom Keeping Up Appearances featured Hyacinth Bucket, a snobbish social climber. She’s pretty well known, which could put parents off the name. But it’s tough to compare the mellifluous Jacinta to the clunkier Hyacinth.
If you’re after a rare name with ties to the natural world, Jacinta is one to consider. And if you’re stuck between Kaylee and Araminta, Jacinta splits the difference.
Panya says
March 14, 2013 at 7:06 PMI love all forms of this name, except the English Hyacinth/e! I’m a huge fan of Keeping Up Appearances & I’d never be able to call a Hyacinth/e without thinking of Mrs. Bucket answering the telephone — “The boo-KAY residence, the lady of the house speaking!” 😉
Blue Juniper says
February 22, 2013 at 9:35 AMJacinta is so pretty, but lately I’ve had a bit of a crush on the Jacintha spelling 🙂
appellationmountain says
February 23, 2013 at 8:49 AMOh, I do like Jacintha!
Dellitt says
March 8, 2013 at 3:40 PMI completely forgot about Jacintha. I think this may be better than Jacinta.
Evelyn says
February 22, 2013 at 8:58 AMThere is an Australian tv personality/model Jesinta Campbell, I like this spelling as it is a different way to get to the nickname Jess with out being one of 5 Jessicas in the class. I know maybe 6 or 7 Jacintas but or me it is a bit dated for a baby born in 2013.
appellationmountain says
February 23, 2013 at 8:48 AMInteresting, Evelyn – Jacinta must have had a good run in Australia. Jesinta is pretty … but my favorite way to get to Jess has to be Jessamine or Jessamy.
estella says
February 21, 2013 at 12:34 PMThis is the name that as a teenager I was sure I would use for any future daughters. Many years later I brought it up when we were expecting, but my husband vetoed it. I still love it, though!
estella says
February 21, 2013 at 12:35 PMForgot to mention that my favorite version is Jacinda, as well!
C in DC says
February 21, 2013 at 11:49 AMI think I love this even more for the boys: Jacinto, Jacenty, Jacek. NNs Jace or Jake.
appellationmountain says
February 22, 2013 at 7:37 AMThat’s a really good point, C – the masculine forms are just as appealing, and they’re an unconventional way to get to Jake!
rosamonte says
February 21, 2013 at 11:09 AMOooh I love this name, but with the Spanish pronunciation. I thought it was gorgeous but my husband (the native Spanish speaker) said grandmother country-bumpkin.
rosamonte says
February 21, 2013 at 12:01 PMOf course, I think country grandmother names are quite nice.
appellationmountain says
February 22, 2013 at 7:37 AMFascinating – I had no idea Jacinta was the equivalent of Myrtle …
Dellitt says
March 8, 2013 at 3:38 PMI have to agree that the Spanish pronunciation is gorgeous. ‘ha SEEN tah’, comes closer to sounding like Hyacinth also. I like Jacinta – it’s unique and pretty and interesting. Jacinda in nice as well. I like Jacinta better than Hyacinth, but I think Hyacinth could be rather cool as a middle name.