Norval
Norval is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
North valley or north power.
Origin and history
Norval is a Scottish masculine name derived from a surname or place name traditionally associated with northern valley regions. It gained popularity in English literature through John Home's 1756 tragedy Douglas, which features the famous line 'My name is Norval'. Though historically used in the United States, it has become extremely rare in contemporary usage.
Popularity in the United States
2,377 babies in the United States have been named Norval since 1880. It ranks #2662 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- MO (16.2 %)
- IN (14.1 %)
- IL (11.6 %)
- WV (9.8 %)
- MN (7.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 24 |
| 1890-1900 | 31 |
| 1900-1910 | 87 |
| 1910-1920 | 470 |
| 1920-1930 | 639 |
| 1930-1940 | 456 |
| 1940-1950 | 320 |
| 1950-1960 | 191 |
| 1960-1970 | 96 |
| 1970-1980 | 48 |
| 1980-1990 | 15 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Norval
- Norval Morrisseau: Artist, Painter
- Norval Marley: Naval Officer
Fun facts
- The name gained initial popularity from the 18th-century Scottish play Douglas by John Home.
- Norval saw steady but modest usage in the United States throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.