How Many People Are Named Gordon?
Complete statistics for the name Gordon: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Gordon means 'great spear' in Old English and has a rare charm. It's estimated that 1 in 4,990 Americans today are named Gordon, making it a unique choice. With 84% of people over 60, it's clear this name leans towards an older generation.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, life-path number 1 represents leadership and independence.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 80All 155,316 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1952Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Gordon Through the Generations
Gordon reached its peak popularity in 1952 with 2,835 births, reflecting a time when classic names were favored. Today, there are 66,138 people named Gordon living in the US, with the majority being over 60 years old. This age skew suggests that while the name is rising again, it remains most popular among older generations who grew up with it.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Gordon
Gordon is a masculine given name in the English language. The name is derived from the Scottish surname Gordon. It is uncertain if this surname originated from a place name in Scotland or in France. The Gordon in Berwickshire, where the family who bore the surname held lands in the 12th century, is of uncertain etymology. It is also possible that this place name was named after settlers from France, who were named after a like-named place in Normandy. The surname is thought to have been taken up as a given name in honour of the Major-General Charles George Gordon, a British army officer who wa…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Gordon's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Gordon
How Many People Have the Name Gordon?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 157,985 people in the United States currently share the name Gordon. That works out to roughly 1 in every 2,098 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Gordon a Common or Rare Name?
Gordon is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Gordon Mean?
Gordon means "great spear" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Gordon in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Gordon Most Popular?
The name Gordon reached peak popularity in 1952, with 2,835 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Gordon?
Approximately 157,985 people named Gordon live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 157,985. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,098 Americans.
Is Gordon a rare name?
Gordon is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 2,098 Americans has this name.
What does the name Gordon mean?
Gordon means "great spear" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Gordon more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Gordon are male and 0% are female.
When was Gordon most popular?
Gordon peaked in 1952 with 2,835 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.