The name Seldon is of English origin and means "noble" or "generous." It is derived from the Old English word "seald," which translates to "noble" or "generous." The name has been in use since the Middle Ages, but it was not particularly common until the 20th century when it began to gain popularity.
One famous bearer of the name Seldon is Isaac Asimov's character Hari Seldon, a psychologist and mathematician who features prominently in his Foundation series. This popular science fiction series may have contributed to the increased familiarity and use of the name in recent years.
Despite its English origin, the name Seldon has also been adopted by other countries. In Sweden, for example, it is considered a masculine given name. However, it remains relatively rare compared to more common names.
In terms of its meaning, "noble" or "generous" could be seen as desirable qualities in a person. The name Seldon may therefore appeal to those who wish to convey these traits through their child's name choice. Overall, while not one of the most well-known names, Seldon has an interesting history and meaning that sets it apart from many other names.
The name Seldon has a unique pattern of popularity in the United States, with fluctuations over time as shown by the statistics provided.
From 1882 to 1975, there were periods where the name was more popular than others. The highest number of births occurred in 1916 with 35 newborns named Seldon. This peak could be attributed to a particular event or trend that made the name appealing during that time.
However, it's interesting to note that the popularity of the name Seldon started to decline after the 1920s and 1930s. From 1945 onwards, the number of births with this name was consistently low, ranging from 5 to 22 per year.
In recent years, there has been a slight increase in the popularity of the name Seldon. For instance, there were 8 births in 2000 and another 6 in 2006. This could suggest that parents are rediscovering this unique name or that it may be becoming more fashionable again.
Overall, despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Seldon has been given to a total of 988 newborns in the United States since 1882. Each of these individuals carries a distinctive and uncommon name with them throughout their lives.