Major
Major is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Greater, superior, or military rank.
Origin and history
Major is an English vocabulary name derived from the Latin word 'maior', meaning greater or larger. Historically used as an occupational title or military rank, it gained traction in the United States as a bold, modern given name. Its popularity has grown steadily in recent years, fitting into the trend of strong honorific and title names.
Popularity in the United States
21,673 babies in the United States have been named Major since 1880. It ranks #800 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #469.
States where it is most popular
- TX (11.5 %)
- GA (9.1 %)
- NC (7.7 %)
- FL (7.3 %)
- AL (6.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 378 |
| 1890-1900 | 379 |
| 1900-1910 | 388 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,147 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,436 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,051 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,176 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,114 |
| 1960-1970 | 692 |
| 1970-1980 | 572 |
| 1980-1990 | 552 |
| 1990-2000 | 450 |
| 2000-2010 | 868 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,616 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,854 |
Famous people named Major
- Major Harris: Singer, Musician
- Major Owens: Politician, Librarian
Fun facts
- The word derives from the Latin 'maior', which is the comparative form of 'magnus', meaning great.
- While used sporadically in early American history, Major has seen a significant revival in the 21st century.