Cortland is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is believed to have been created by the author Samuel Richardson in his novel "The History of Sir Charles Grandison," published in 1753-54. In the story, Cortland is the family name of one of the characters, Sir Harry Cortland.
The meaning and significance of the name Cortland are not explicitly known as it was created for literary purposes rather than having a historical or linguistic origin. However, some people associate the name with the concept of "short" or "small," due to its similarity to the Latin word "curtus," which means short. This association is purely speculative and not universally accepted.
There is no significant historical figure named Cortland that has contributed to the popularity or understanding of the name. Its usage as a given name appears to be quite rare, with most instances occurring in the United States. It is more commonly found as a surname, particularly in England and the United States.
In summary, Cortland is a distinctive given name created by Samuel Richardson for his novel. Its meaning and origin are somewhat speculative, but it has been used sporadically as a given name, particularly in the United States.
Statistics show that the given name Cortland has had a varying degree of popularity over time in the United States. From 1994 to present day, there have been a total of 44 babies named Cortland at birth.
The peak years for this name were 1994 and 2021, with seven births each year. Interestingly, these two years bookend our given timeframe by nearly three decades. This could suggest a resurgence in popularity or perhaps a generational preference for the name Cortland.
However, there was also notable consistency from 1995 to 2019, with five births recorded annually during those years. This period of steady popularity spans two decades and suggests that Cortland may have had consistent appeal throughout this timeframe.
Overall, while Cortland may not be among the most popular names in America, it has maintained a certain level of popularity over nearly three decades, with notable peaks in recent years. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if there is another shift in popularity in the coming years.