Thurston is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "þūrs", which means "thorn bush" or "thicket". The name Thurston is believed to have been brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
In the Domesday Book, a great survey of England completed in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, there were several instances of the name Thurstan recorded. Thurstan was also the name of an early English saint and bishop who lived in the 11th century. He is remembered as Saint Thurstan of York.
Throughout history, the name Thurston has been passed down through generations of families, often serving as a popular choice among the aristocracy. However, it has not gained widespread popularity outside of England and has remained relatively uncommon compared to other English names.
Today, Thurston continues to be a unique and distinctive given name, often associated with individuals who possess a strong sense of history and tradition. It is also sometimes used as a surname, particularly in families with historical ties to Yorkshire, England. Despite its rarity, Thurston remains an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.
In summary, Thurston is a unique English given name with historical significance. Its origins can be traced back to the Old English word "þūrs", and it has been passed down through generations of families, often serving as a popular choice among the aristocracy. Today, Thurston remains a distinctive and meaningful name choice for those who appreciate its rich history and unique sound.
Based on the statistics provided, Thurston has had a varying popularity as a baby name in the United States over the past century and a half. The highest number of births recorded for this name was in 1915 with 64 babies named Thurston. However, it seems that its popularity began to decline after World War I, as there were only 73 births in 1918 compared to the peak two years prior.
The name's popularity continued to fluctuate throughout the mid-20th century. There was a notable spike in Thurston babies born between 1944 and 1958, with numbers ranging from 42 to 48 births per year during this period. However, after 1958, the popularity of the name began to decline more significantly.
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Thurston was no longer a common name for newborn babies in the United States. The highest number of births recorded for Thurston between 1970 and 2023 was just 29 in 1979. Since then, the popularity of this name has continued to decline, with fewer than 20 births per year occurring from 1985 onwards.
In recent years, Thurston has become quite uncommon as a baby name in the United States. Between 2016 and 2023, there were only between 7 to 12 births recorded each year for this name. Overall, since 1884 until now, there have been a total of 3485 babies named Thurston born in the United States.