General Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'General' originates from the Latin word 'generalis,' meaning common or universal. It has evolved through Old French and Middle English to denote a high-ranking military officer. The term reflects broad authority and leadership. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name. It gained popularity in military contexts during the Middle Ages and has maintained a strong association with military and leadership roles in modern times.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "General"
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛnərəl/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The term 'general' comes from the Latin word 'generalis,' which means 'of a whole class' or 'common.' It has evolved to denote a high-ranking military officer or someone who holds broad authority.
Meaning
common, general, universal
Language Evolution
Latin: generalis, Old French: general, Middle English: general
Historical Usage
The term gained popularity in military contexts during the Middle Ages, becoming more standardized by the Renaissance period.
Variants & Derivatives
Gen., Generali, Generale
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary usage, 'general' is often associated with military ranks and leadership roles, carrying connotations of authority and oversight.
Famous People
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George S. Patton, General Norman Schwarzkopf
📊 General Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More General Name Visualizations
✨ General Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 105 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 15 US states, with strongest presence in Alabama
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "General" - Complete Guide (1 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "General". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 1 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "General" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "General"
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 of "General"
"General" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 689th of 7545 | 1,367 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 913th of 6773 | 905 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1437th of 7552 | 561 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2672nd of 10718 | 218 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5443rd of 16616 | 126 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8289th of 24088 | 121 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7443rd of 23106 | 126 |
Regional Popularity of "General" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
- |
19.78% 468th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
27.16% 639th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
40.27% 1149th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
61.74% 2172nd/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "General" by Generation for 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 of "General"
This map shows the relative popularity of "General" 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 of "General" in the United States
The name General is most popular in Alabama, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, General has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'General' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 689th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 913th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1437th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2672nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5443rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8289th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7443rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'General' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.