Lafayette
Lafayette is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
From the beech grove; derived from the French place name La Fayette.
Origin and history
Lafayette is a French surname-derived given name, historically given in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolutionary War. It saw moderate popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States and remains a classic, traditional choice today.
Popularity in the United States
4,861 babies in the United States have been named Lafayette since 1880. It ranks #1753 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1862.
States where it is most popular
- TX (18.4 %)
- NC (15.6 %)
- CA (14.2 %)
- AL (9.5 %)
- GA (8.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 210 |
| 1890-1900 | 145 |
| 1900-1910 | 128 |
| 1910-1920 | 457 |
| 1920-1930 | 576 |
| 1930-1940 | 527 |
| 1940-1950 | 479 |
| 1950-1960 | 499 |
| 1960-1970 | 466 |
| 1970-1980 | 401 |
| 1980-1990 | 342 |
| 1990-2000 | 289 |
| 2000-2010 | 140 |
| 2010-2019 | 137 |
| 2020-2029 | 65 |
Famous people named Lafayette
- Lafayette McLaws: Military officer
- Lafayette Lane: Politician, Lawyer
Nicknames
Lafe, Laffy
Fun facts
- The name gained widespread usage in the United States to honor Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, for his military leadership in the American Revolution.
- The surname original derives from Old French 'la fayette', meaning a small beech forest or grove.