Cameron is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word 'cam' which means 'crooked' or 'bent', and 'sron' which means 'nose'. Thus, Cameron literally translates to 'one with a crooked nose'.
The name Cameron has been used historically as both a surname and a given name. As a surname, it is believed to have originated from the Scottish Highlands, where many clans adopted the name due to their chief's prominent or distinctive noses.
The first recorded use of Cameron as a given name was in the 18th century, but it did not become popular until the late 20th century. Today, Cameron is a widely used name for both boys and girls, although it is still more commonly used for males.
One notable bearer of the name Cameron is the American film director James Cameron, known for directing blockbuster films like Titanic and Avatar. However, he was not named after the Scottish clan or its historical significance; his mother simply liked the sound of the name.
The given statistics show the annual births of the name Cameron in the United States from 1914 to 2023. Over this period, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of the name.
From 1914 to 1958, the number of babies named Cameron remained relatively low, ranging from 5 to 34 births per year. However, starting in 1959, we see a notable increase, with 30 or more births each year.
The peak popularity of the name Cameron occurred between 1996 and 2000, during which time there were over 850 births per year. In fact, Cameron was among the top 10 names for boys during this period.
However, since 2003, the popularity of the name has started to decline, with fewer than 700 births per year in recent years. Despite this decrease, Cameron remains a popular choice, with over 600 births in each of the past five years (2018-2023).
In total, from 1914 to 2023, there have been 30,976 babies named Cameron born in the United States. This demonstrates that while the name's popularity has fluctuated over time, it remains a well-loved choice for parents across multiple decades.