Chastity

Chastity is an English feminine given name derived directly from the abstract noun chastity, which denotes the virtue of sexual purity. The word itself traces back to the Latin adjective castus (“cut off,” “separated,” “pure”). According to Thomas Aquinas, the term also connects to the Latin verb castigare (“to chastise”), reflecting the idea that reason “chastises” improper desires.

Etymology

The English words chaste and chastity entered the language around the mid-13th century, originally meaning “virtuous” and “(sexual) purity,” respectively. Like other virtue names that emerged among Puritans in the 16th and 17th centuries (such as Charity, Faith, or Grace), Chastity fits a tradition of naming children after moral qualities.

Modern Popularity

The name saw a notable surge in the 1970s after it was given to Chastity Bono (later known as Chaz Bono), the child of entertainers Sonny Bono and Cher. This celebrity offspring brought the name into the public spotlight.

• Meaning: sexual purity
• Origin: English vocabulary word, from Latin castus
• Type: Virtue name
• Usage: English-speaking countries