Gordon is a Scottish masculine given name derived from the Old Norse personal name Gunnar, which means "warrior ready for battle." The name has been associated with Scotland due to its Viking heritage and was popularized by several prominent figures throughout history.
The name Gordon first appeared in Scotland during the 12th century with the House of Gordon. This Highland clan played a significant role in Scottish history, particularly during the Wars of Scottish Independence against England. The Gordons were renowned for their military prowess and courage, which may have contributed to the enduring popularity of the name among Scottish families.
In the 15th century, Adam Gordon, the 1st Lord Gordon, was created a Baron by the Scottish Parliament. His family continued to rise in prominence over the centuries, with several members holding important political offices and military commands.
The name Gordon also has ties to the United States of America, where it gained popularity during the colonial era. Several early settlers bore this name, including Thomas Gordon (1645-1715), a Scottish writer who immigrated to Virginia in 1680 and became the colony's Secretary of State.
Today, Gordon remains a popular choice for parents seeking a strong, historical, and distinctive name for their sons. Its Scottish heritage and rich history continue to inspire people around the world who carry this proud and enduring name.
Based on the annual statistics provided for the name Gordon in the United States from 1880 to 2023, we can observe several trends and patterns.
From 1880 to around 1960, the number of births with the name Gordon fluctuated significantly. It started with a high of 51 births in 1880, then decreased to as low as 64 births in 1886. However, it began to steadily increase from the early 1900s onwards, peaking at 2781 births in 1953.
After reaching its peak, the popularity of the name Gordon started to decline. By 1965, there were only 1444 births with this name, and it continued to decrease throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1990, there were only 441 births with the name Gordon.
From the 1990s onwards, the number of births with the name Gordon remained relatively stable but at a much lower level compared to its peak in the mid-20th century. It ranged from around 200 to 350 births per year until the early 2010s.
However, since 2014, there has been a slight increase in the popularity of the name Gordon. In 2021 and 2022, there were 243 and 233 births respectively with this name, suggesting that it may be experiencing a small revival in recent years.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there have been 154,493 births of the name Gordon in the United States. Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, Gordon remains a historic and enduring name choice for parents in the U.S.