Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Gaylord is an Old French name meaning joyful or lively. It has evolved through various forms, starting from 'Gaillard' in Old French to its current form in Modern English. The name embodies traits of cheerfulness and vitality, and it does not have biblical relevance. It saw a rise in popularity in the 19th century and is now viewed as somewhat outdated.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɡeɪlɔːrd/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Gaylord is derived from the Old French term 'gaillard', which means 'lively' or 'joyful'. It may also be influenced by the Old French 'gailliard', meaning 'merry' or 'brave'.
Meaning
joyful, lively, merry
Language Evolution
Gaillard (Old French), Gaylord (Middle English), Gaylord (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Gaylord gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century, particularly as a given name and surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Gay, Gail, Gaylor
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary times, the name Gaylord is considered somewhat old-fashioned and is less commonly used as a first name.
Famous People
Gaylord Perry (Baseball Hall of Famer), Gaylord Nelson (American politician and environmentalist)
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 168 peak births in 1931
Geographic Spread
Popular across 21 US states, with strongest presence in Nebraska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (1 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 1 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 579th of 7545 | 1,864 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 527th of 6773 | 2,304 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 862nd of 7552 | 1,411 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2034th of 10718 | 339 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6660th of 16616 | 86 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
21.54% 305th/1416 |
44.53% 614th/1379 |
77.22% 1827th/2366 |
57.79% 660th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
19.47% 301st/1546 |
34.90% 543rd/1556 |
53.93% 1269th/2353 |
34.78% 538th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
27.75% 618th/2227 |
36.34% 883rd/2430 |
61.09% 1743rd/2853 |
27.32% 758th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
41.02% 1659th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Nebraska across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 579th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 527th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 862nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2034th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6660th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.