Sinclair
Sinclair is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
From Saint Clair, meaning 'bright' or 'clear'.
Origin and history
Sinclair is a habitational name derived from a Norman French place name meaning 'Saint Clair'. Traditionally used as a surname, it evolved into a given name in the English-speaking world. In the United States, it remains a rare and distinctive choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
1,435 babies in the United States have been named Sinclair since 1880. It ranks #3289 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1871.
States where it is most popular
- SC (70.1 %)
- NY (17.3 %)
- FL (4.7 %)
- GA (3.9 %)
- NC (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 13 |
| 1910-1920 | 124 |
| 1920-1930 | 198 |
| 1930-1940 | 156 |
| 1940-1950 | 120 |
| 1950-1960 | 168 |
| 1960-1970 | 105 |
| 1970-1980 | 111 |
| 1980-1990 | 164 |
| 1990-2000 | 105 |
| 2000-2010 | 41 |
| 2010-2019 | 74 |
| 2020-2029 | 56 |
Famous people named Sinclair
- Sinclair Lewis: Author, Playwright
Fun facts
- The surname original came to Scotland via Norman barons hailing from Saint-Clair-sur-Elle in Normandy.
- Although best known as a surname, American author Sinclair Lewis brought major prominence to the name when he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1930.