Redding is an unusual and unique given name of American origin. It is derived from the surname "Redding," which was originally a place name. The name Redding is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the county of Berkshire.
The name Redding is thought to be derived from the Old English words "hred" meaning "protection" or "shield," and "ingas" which denotes a group of people. Therefore, the meaning of the name Redding could be interpreted as "from the settlement protected by a shield." However, it's important to note that this etymology is not universally accepted.
The use of Redding as a given name appears to be relatively modern. It does not have a long history like many other names with English origins. In fact, there are no records of the name Redding being used as a given name in England before the mid-20th century.
In recent years, however, the use of Redding as a given name has become more popular, particularly in the United States. According to data from the Social Security Administration, the name Redding first appeared on the list of most popular baby names in the U.S. in 2017. It is still considered quite rare, but its usage has been steadily increasing.
Overall, Redding is a distinctive and uncommon given name with an intriguing origin story. While its meaning may not be universally agreed upon, it certainly has an appealing sound and a unique history that sets it apart from many other names.
The statistics show a fluctuating trend in the number of babies named Redding born each year in the United States over the past century. The name first appeared in 1922 with five births that year, and it maintained a consistent presence throughout most of the 20th century, though at varying levels of popularity.
Between 1922 and 2003, there were several years where no babies named Redding were born, but the name saw a resurgence in popularity starting around the late 2000s. In fact, the name's highest point of popularity was in recent years, with 33 births in 2016 and 32 births in both 2019 and 2020.
Overall, there were a total of 292 babies named Redding born in the United States between 1922 and 2023. This demonstrates that while the name may not have been consistently popular over time, it has maintained a steady presence in American naming trends throughout the past century.