Lawyer is a unique and distinctive name of English origin. It is derived from the occupational surname that was given to individuals who practiced law or were involved in legal affairs. The word "lawyer" itself comes from the Middle English word "laweyer," which evolved from the Old French word "loier," meaning "to plead for a fee."
The name Lawyer has been in existence since at least the 13th century, with one of the earliest records being found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. In this document, a "Lawyer" is listed as living in Lincolnshire, England.
While it may not be as commonly used as some other names, Lawyer has been adopted by families around the world as a unique and meaningful first name. It serves as a strong and powerful choice for parents looking for an unconventional yet significant name for their child. As with any occupational surname-turned-first-name, Lawyer carries with it a sense of heritage and tradition, while also symbolizing a commitment to justice and fairness.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Lawyer in the United States from 1880 to 2021, it is evident that this name has had a fluctuating popularity over time.
The name first appeared in the late 19th century with five births recorded in 1880. The following years saw varying numbers of newborns named Lawyer, ranging from as low as five in certain years to as high as 27 in others (1917). This variation suggests that the name's popularity was not consistent and may have been influenced by various factors over time.
Interestingly, there were several peaks in popularity for the name Lawyer. One significant peak occurred around World War I, with notably higher birth numbers recorded from 1915 to 1920 (ranging from 13 to 24 births per year). Another notable peak happened in the mid-20th century, particularly in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with births ranging between five and eighteen per year during this period.
Despite these peaks, it seems that the name Lawyer has generally been more common among newborn boys in the United States. However, its popularity has notably declined since the mid-20th century, with less than ten births recorded each year after 1967 until 2021, except for a few years in between.
Overall, although the name Lawyer has experienced periods of varying popularity over time, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names. With a total of 1021 births recorded from 1880 to 2021, those named Lawyer represent a small but unique portion of the population in the United States.