Boy · 44th of 7,545
Norman
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
254,586
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1928
Peak Popularity Year
5,637
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Norman 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 Norman has its roots in Old Norse, meaning 'northman'. It evolved from historical forms such as 'Norrœnn' and became widely used after the Norman Conquest of England. The name is associated with traits of strength and heritage, and it does not have any biblical relevance. Today, it is seen as a classic name with notable figures contributing to its legacy.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈnɔːrmən/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Norman is derived from the Old Norse word 'norrœnn', which means 'northman' or 'Norseman'. It originally referred to people from Scandinavia and was later associated with the Normans who settled in what is now France.
Meaning
Northman
Language Evolution
Norrœnn, Norman, Normanus, Norman
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 11th century, particularly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which brought the name into widespread use in England and other regions.
Variants & Derivatives
Normand, Norma, Norm, Norrie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Norman is viewed as a classic name with historical significance. It carries connotations of strength and heritage, although its popularity has declined in recent years.
Famous People
Norman Rockwell, Norman Mailer, Norman Osborn, Norman Reedus
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,637 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Maine
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 2 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 | 44th of 7545 | 66,512 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 45th of 6773 | 86,765 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 109th of 7552 | 62,792 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 197th of 10718 | 20,453 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 416th of 16616 | 7,761 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 883rd of 24088 | 3,311 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1190th of 23106 | 1,948 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1570th of 9107 | 466 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1423rd of 9204 | 537 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2779th of 12526 | 324 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4299th of 19264 | 218 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 14820th of 27321 | 41 |