Jordan
Jordan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
To flow down or descend.
Origin and history
Jordan is derived from the Hebrew name Yarden, meaning 'flowing down' or 'descend', referencing the primary river of the Holy Land. Historically used as a baptismal name after Crusaders brought water from the Jordan River back to Europe, it became widely popular in the U.S. during the late 20th century. Today, it remains a firmly established unisex choice, though heavily used for boys.
Popularity in the United States
401,196 babies in the United States have been named Jordan since 1880. It ranks #85 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #94.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.8 %)
- TX (8 %)
- NY (5.7 %)
- FL (5.7 %)
- OH (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 158 |
| 1890-1900 | 117 |
| 1900-1910 | 123 |
| 1910-1920 | 395 |
| 1920-1930 | 854 |
| 1930-1940 | 770 |
| 1940-1950 | 690 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,189 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,851 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,449 |
| 1980-1990 | 57,172 |
| 1990-2000 | 144,756 |
| 2000-2010 | 101,187 |
| 2010-2019 | 64,530 |
| 2020-2029 | 21,955 |
Famous people named Jordan
- Jordan Peele: Filmmaker, Actor
- Jordan Spieth: Golfer, Athlete
- Jordan Pickford: Athlete, Soccer Player
Nicknames
Jordy, Jordie, Jory
Fun facts
- Returning Crusaders frequently baptized their children with water brought back from the Jordan River, establishing Jordan as a given name in medieval Europe.
- While ranked high as a male name, Jordan experienced massive popularity for both boys and girls starting in the late 1980s.