Gordon
Gordon is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Spacious fort or spacious hill.
Origin and history
Gordon originated as a Scottish surname derived from a place name in Berwickshire, likely meaning 'spacious fort'. It transitioned into a popular given name throughout the English-speaking world in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity during the mid-20th century and remains a classic traditional option today.
Popularity in the United States
154,909 babies in the United States have been named Gordon since 1880. It ranks #222 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #924.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.2 %)
- MI (7.8 %)
- CA (7.4 %)
- MN (5 %)
- IL (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 499 |
| 1890-1900 | 939 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,642 |
| 1910-1920 | 13,641 |
| 1920-1930 | 25,622 |
| 1930-1940 | 25,460 |
| 1940-1950 | 24,468 |
| 1950-1960 | 25,741 |
| 1960-1970 | 15,832 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,583 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,030 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,532 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,304 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,283 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,333 |
Famous people named Gordon
- Gordon Ramsay: Chef, Television Host
- Gordon Parks: Photographer, Filmmaker
- Gordon Lightfoot: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Gordy, Gordie, Gord
Fun facts
- The name originally denoted a family or individual from the parish of Gordon in Berwickshire, Scotland.
- Gordon was a mainstay in the U.S. Top 100 male names during the 1910s through the 1930s.