Rankin Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Rankin is a Scottish name that means 'little shield wolf', originating from the Old Norse name Rannulf. It evolved through various forms in language, retaining its strong and historical traits. There is no biblical relevance associated with Rankin, but it gained popularity in Scotland during the 16th century. Today, it is viewed as a traditional surname with a rich heritage.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Rankin"
Pronunciation
/ˈræŋ.kɪn/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The name Rankin is derived from the Scottish diminutive of the name 'Rannulf', which itself has Old Norse roots. 'Rannulf' combines the elements 'rand', meaning shield, and 'wulf', meaning wolf.
Meaning
little shield wolf
Language Evolution
Rannulf (Old Norse), Rannulfus (Latinized form), Rankin (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Rankin emerged as a surname in Scotland during the medieval period, gaining popularity in the 16th century as a family name.
Variants & Derivatives
Rankins, Rannulf, Rann (short form)
Modern Popularity & Image
Rankin is perceived as a traditional Scottish surname that carries a sense of heritage and strength.
Famous People
John Rankin (American Civil War officer), James Rankin (Scottish politician), William Rankin (Scottish author)
📊 Rankin Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Rankin Name Visualizations
✨ Rankin Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 12 peak births in 1916
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Rankin"
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 "Rankin"
"Rankin" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3063rd of 7545 | 117 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3673rd of 6773 | 73 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4051st of 7552 | 68 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 12331st of 16616 | 17 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 16493rd of 24088 | 23 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 12883rd of 23106 | 42 |
Regional Popularity of "Rankin" 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 "Rankin" 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 "Rankin"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Rankin" 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 "Rankin" in the United States
Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Across generations, 'Rankin' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3063rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3673rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4051st out of 7552 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12331st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 16493rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 12883rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Rankin' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.