Durand is a masculine given name of French origin. It is composed of two elements: "dur" meaning hard or strong, and "and" which is a diminutive suffix. Therefore, the name Durand means "strong and courageous." The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and was quite popular among French nobility during that period.
The name Durand has been borne by several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous bearers of this name is Saint Durand, who was a seventh-century bishop of Toulouse. He is revered as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
In literature, Durand appears as a character in "The Song of Roland," an epic poem composed in Old French around the 11th century. The character Durand is one of Charlemagne's paladins, who accompanies him on his campaign against the Muslims in Spain.
Today, Durand is still used as a given name, particularly in France and other French-speaking countries. It remains a strong and enduring name with a rich history and meaningful significance. Despite its medieval origins, it has not gone out of fashion over time and continues to be bestowed upon newborn boys by parents who appreciate its powerful meaning and elegant sound.
The name Durand has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. Between 1913 and 1968, there was an average of about 14 births per year with this name. The peak years for this period were 1951 and 1967, with 16 and 27 births respectively.
However, from 1969 onwards, the number of babies named Durand began to decrease significantly. The highest number of births in this period was 40 in 1972, but this was a significant drop compared to previous years. From 1985 onwards, there were consistently fewer than 20 births per year with the name Durand.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Durand has continued to decline. Between 2000 and 2014, there were an average of just over 7 births per year with this name. The most recent data from 2015 shows that there were only 7 babies named Durand in the United States.
Overall, according to available statistics, there have been a total of 1060 births with the name Durand in the United States since records began. While it was once quite popular, particularly in the mid-20th century, its popularity has declined significantly in recent decades. Despite this decline, Durand remains a unique and historic name that continues to be given to a small number of babies each year.