Ginger Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Ginger is derived from the Old English word 'gingifer,' which refers to the spice and is associated with a reddish-brown color. The name has evolved through various forms in the English language, becoming a popular given name in the 20th century, often linked to individuals with red hair. It carries connotations of warmth and vibrancy, with no significant biblical relevance.
The name Ginger is most popular in Tennessee, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) 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. 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, Ginger has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Ginger' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7025th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6561st out of 10718 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1845th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 569th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 289th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 248th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 702nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1557th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2869th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Ginger' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ginger"
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɪndʒər/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Ginger originates from the Old English word 'gingifer,' which refers to the spice derived from the root of the ginger plant. It is often associated with the reddish-brown color of the spice and has been used as a given name since the 19th century.
Meaning
spice, reddish-brown
Language Evolution
gingifer (Old English), ginger (Middle English), Ginger (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Ginger became popular as a given name in the United States during the early to mid-20th century, often used as a nickname for people with red hair.
Variants & Derivatives
Ginny, Gingy, Ginge
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Ginger is often associated with warmth, friendliness, and an outgoing personality. It evokes images of the spice and is sometimes linked to a vibrant and lively character.
Famous People
Ginger Rogers, actress and dancer, Ginger Baker, musician, Ginger Spice (Geri Halliwell), singer
Explore More Ginger Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ginger"
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 "Ginger"
"Ginger" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7025th of 7552 | 8 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6561st of 10718 | 33 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1845th of 9107 | 363 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 569th of 9204 | 2,688 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 289th of 12526 | 17,370 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 248th of 19264 | 18,418 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 702nd of 27321 | 4,511 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1557th of 35406 | 2,109 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2869th of 30306 | 711 |
Regional Popularity of "Ginger" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Ginger" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
100.00% 1142nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
34.02% 526th/1546 |
46.27% 720th/1556 |
22.57% 531st/2353 |
28.12% 435th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
12.71% 283rd/2227 |
19.30% 469th/2430 |
8.31% 237th/2853 |
10.31% 286th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
9.12% 268th/2937 |
13.41% 467th/3483 |
4.78% 168th/3518 |
6.97% 282nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
21.00% 774th/3685 |
27.13% 1214th/4475 |
10.03% 521st/5194 |
13.33% 842nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
42.03% 1926th/4582 |
40.43% 2088th/5164 |
24.63% 1801st/7313 |
17.29% 1290th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
66.48% 2983rd/4487 |
48.92% 3337th/6822 |
42.37% 2659th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ginger"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ginger" 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.