Smith Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Smith has its origins in Old English, meaning 'metalworker.' It evolved from 'Smithe' in Old English through Middle English into its modern form. This surname is historically tied to the trade of blacksmithing, which was vital in medieval society. It has no biblical relevance. Today, Smith is a prevalent surname, often viewed positively, and is associated with notable figures in various fields.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Smith"
Pronunciation
/smɪθ/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Smith originates from the Old English word 'smitan,' which means 'to strike' or 'to hit.' It was historically used to refer to someone who worked with metal, particularly blacksmiths who forged iron and other metals.
Meaning
metalworker
Language Evolution
Old English: Smithe, Middle English: Smith, Modern English: Smith
Historical Usage
The surname Smith became popular in England during the Middle Ages due to the importance of blacksmithing in society. It was commonly adopted as a surname for those who practiced the trade, leading to its widespread use.
Variants & Derivatives
Smyth, Smithe
Modern Popularity & Image
Smith remains one of the most common surnames in English-speaking countries today, often associated with a sense of tradition and craftsmanship.
Famous People
Will Smith, John Smith, Adam Smith
📊 Smith Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Smith Name Visualizations
✨ Smith Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 174 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 25 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Smith" - Complete Guide (1 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Smith". 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 "Smith" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Smith"
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 "Smith"
"Smith" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 821st of 7545 | 1,082 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1150th of 6773 | 638 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1706th of 7552 | 401 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2661st of 10718 | 220 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2839th of 16616 | 336 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2499th of 24088 | 713 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1371st of 23106 | 1,614 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 17789th of 27321 | 25 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 21209th of 35406 | 34 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 10080th of 30306 | 117 |
Regional Popularity of "Smith" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
75.34% 1039th/1379 |
30.64% 725th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
46.41% 1092nd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
59.52% 1698th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
40.60% 2109th/5194 |
46.57% 2942nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
76.12% 3931st/5164 |
26.94% 1970th/7313 |
39.17% 2923rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
37.32% 1487th/3984 |
43.24% 1940th/4487 |
17.94% 1224th/6822 |
21.34% 1339th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Smith" 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 "Smith"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Smith" 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 "Smith" in the United States
The name Smith is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha 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, Smith has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Smith' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 821st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1150th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1706th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2661st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2839th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2499th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1371st out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 19264th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 17789th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 21209th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10080th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Smith' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.