Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Vincent

Vincent is an old French name derived from the Latin “vincens” which means "conquering, winning". The name was borne by scores of early saints, the most notable of which was Saint Vincent of Saragossa who lived in the 3rd century. Saint Vincent of Saragossa was an outspoken and fearless Christian who lived during the period of Roman persecution. He was tortured for his beliefs and killed when he refused to burn the Scripture. It is said that ravens protected his corpse from vultures until his followers could recover his body, entomb him and build a shrine. He is now the patron saint of the Portugal capital, Lisbon, and also said to be the patron saint of wine-makers. Another popular early saint was Saint Vincent of Lérins, a 5th century monk who was an author of early Christian writing and is known for his “Vincentian Canon”: quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus credituni est ("what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all"). He believed that the ultimate source of Christian truth was Holy Scripture and that the authority of the Church was to be invoked to guarantee the correct interpretation of Scripture. Lastly, there was Saint Vincent de Paul who lived in 16th century Paris, France and dedicated his life to the service of the poor through the founding of the Daughters of Charity. Today, he is patron of all societies devoted to works of charity. In the Middle Ages, the French adopted the names of early saints as a way of venerating them. From there, the names would usually spread to England, and henceforth to all English-speaking countries.

All About the Baby Name – Vincent

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME VINCENT

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME VINCENT

Vincent is a name that has existed on the U.S. popularity charts for well over a century, and with generally high ranking. It’s one of those names that quietly marked out its position on the charts long ago and has stubbornly not moved (at least no dramatic movements). The name dances in and out of the Top 100 list and if history is any evidence, that’s what Vincent will continue to do. There are three versions of the name on the American popularity charts today: Vincent (French), Vincente (Spanish), and Vincenzo (Italian). The pet forms come in different flavors, too. Vinnie, Vince and Vin provide additional options. It’s a classic name with a cosmopolitan European flair.

Quick Facts

ON VINCENT

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

French

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

101

PRONUNCIATION:

VIN-sәnt

SIMPLE MEANING:

Conqueror, to win

Characteristics

OF VINCENT

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Vincent

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME VINCENT

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Vincent

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME VINCENT

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Vincent


Popular Songs

ON VINCENT

Sweet Gene Vincent
a song by Ian Dury

Vincent Price Blues
a song by ZZ Top

Vincent of Jersey
a song by Big Head Todd & the Monsters

Vincent
a song by Don McLean

Famous People

NAMED VINCENT

Vincent Van Gogh (artist)
Vincent Price (actor)
Vin Diesel (actor)
Vincent D'Onofrio (actor)
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon (wrestling promoter)
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi (football coach)

Children of Famous People

NAMED VINCENT

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Vincent

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME VINCENT

Edna St. Vincent Millay was a Pulitzer Prize winning American poet and playwright, almost as well known today for her love life as for her writing. Edna was an unconventional and independent person from childhood, when she insisted on calling herself “Vincent”. Although one of three daughters of a working, single mother, Edna was provided an education at Vassar by a sympathetic mentor. She plunged headfirst into the life of New York Bohemia, joining the Provincetown Players, writing, exploring early feminist ideals and conducting multiple affairs with both sexes. By 1923 she had won the Pulitzer and was in demand as a poet, her success at which would last her lifetime. She enjoyed a long, open and mostly happy marriage to a non-writer who enabled her to concentrate on what was essential to her, guarding her health and her space assiduously. If she did nothing else at all, she would always be remembered as the woman whose “…candle burns at both ends” and, indeed, it did give “a lovely light”!

Vincent Van Gogh’s art work is among the most recognizable in all the world, and yet it’s ironic that he sold only one painting during his lifetime. Although his work barely got a chance to circulate since he cut his own life short at the age of 37 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, they would soon be discovered and admired for their intense emotion and vivid colors. Influenced by the impressionists after moving the France, Vincent produced his finest work in the last years of his life; works that departed from the conventions of the day. He suffered from mental illness which also likely influenced his work, and he is also known for cutting off a portion of this left earlobe (and giving it to a prostitute for safekeeping). Regardless of his own demons, Van Gogh gave the world some of the most important works of arts, including “The Starry Night”, his many self-portraits and those of flowers (irises and sunflowers). You don’t have to be a snobby art appreciator to understand the beauty of his works.