Constance appears in the SSA data with an extraordinary 139,832 total births, currently at rank #1,645 — a Latin virtue name with deep medieval roots that is quietly staging one of the more convincing comebacks in the current vintage revival.
The Latin virtue and its history
Constance derives from the Latin constantia, meaning "steadfastness," "firmness," or "constancy" — the virtue of remaining true under pressure, of not bending to circumstance. It entered English through Norman French following the Conquest, and was borne by multiple medieval queens: Constance of Sicily, Constance of Castile, Constance of Brittany. The name was a solid English given name through the Victorian era, carrying the same moral-clarity register as Prudence, Patience, and Faith — names that functioned as aspirational character descriptions. The Latin names page gives broader context for this naming tradition.
Virtue names and the current revival
The broader virtue-name category has been undergoing a slow but steady rehabilitation. Names like Patience, Verity, and Clementine (which carries a kindness meaning) have been climbing alongside the vintage revival. Constance occupies a particularly interesting position: it has the weight of history, the built-in nickname Connie (which carries its own retro warmth), and a meaning that feels genuinely aspirational rather than saccharine. The character Constance Langdon in American Horror Story introduced the name to a generation of millennial viewers, and its appearance in period dramas has kept it culturally visible. At 139,832 total births it has real depth in the American naming record.
Who chooses Constance today
Parents drawn to Constance tend to want a name with gravitas — something that sounds strong on a Supreme Court justice and warm on a grandmother. The nickname Connie handles everyday use, while the full Constance reads as formal and assured. Sibling pairings that hold the same Victorian virtue register include Millicent, Georgiana, and Beatrice. Middle name pairings work best going minimalist: Constance Anne, Constance May, Constance Wren. A name this substantial needs room to breathe.