Boy · 36th of 24,088
Jordan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
533,499
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1990
Peak Popularity Year
22,094
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jordan stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Jordan has Hebrew origins, meaning 'to descend' or 'to flow down', referring to the Jordan River. It evolved through various languages, including Latin and Old French, before becoming popular in modern English. The name has biblical significance due to its association with the baptism of Jesus. Today, it is commonly used for both boys and girls and is associated with strength and nature.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɔːrdən/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Jordan derives from the Hebrew word 'Yarden', which means 'to descend' or 'to flow down'. It originally referred to the Jordan River, which flows into the Dead Sea.
Meaning
to descend, to flow down
Language Evolution
Yarden (Hebrew), Iordanes (Latin), Jordaine (Old French), Jordan (Modern English)
Biblical Background
The name is significant in the Bible as it refers to the river where Jesus was baptized.
Historical Usage
The name Jordan gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly as a given name for boys and later for girls.
Variants & Derivatives
Jordy, Jordanne, Jordyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Jordan is viewed as a trendy and versatile name, often associated with strength and nature due to its geographical roots.
Famous People
Michael Jordan (basketball player), Jordan Poyer (American football player), Jordan Hinson (actress)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 22,094 peak births in 1990
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 775th of 7545 | 1,182 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 726th of 6773 | 1,353 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 677th of 7552 | 2,301 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 356th of 10718 | 8,098 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 45th of 16616 | 158,089 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 36th of 24088 | 167,583 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 72nd of 23106 | 59,523 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6965th of 12526 | 51 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1380th of 19264 | 1,245 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 94th of 27321 | 55,163 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 71st of 35406 | 67,982 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 356th of 30306 | 10,643 |