Gordon
Gordon: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɡɔrdn̩/ · /ˈɡɔːdn̩/
Meaning and origin of Gordon
Root meaning: “spacious”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
The main etymology, associated with Celtic names, is from the Scots surname Gordon, from a place name, but the origin is debated: * If the English or Scots name is from a Brythonic language (such as Old Welsh or Old Breton), then possibly from a Proto-Brythonic compound such as *gor (“spacious”) + *din (“fort”); * If the Scots name is itself from English, then possibly from French Gourdon, derived from Gallo-Roman Latin Gordus, from Gaulish *Gordos; * Otherwise, possibly ultimately from Old English *gor-dūn (“mud hill”) whence a habitational name.
How popular is Gordon?
Since 1880, 670 girls and 154,909 boys in the U.S. have been named Gordon (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1378 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #70 in 1935. In 2025, 209 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Gordon
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Gordon
Sister and brother names that share Gordon's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gordon FAQ
What does the name Gordon mean?
Gordon traces back to a root meaning "spacious". A male given name transferred from the surname. The main etymology, associated with Celtic names, is from the Scots surname Gordon, from a place name, but the origin is debated: * If the English or Scots name is from a Brythonic language (such as Old Welsh or Old Breton), then possibly from a Proto-Brythonic compound such as *gor (“spacious”) + *din (“fort”); * If the Scots name is itself from English, then possibly from French Gourdon, derived from Gallo-Roman Latin Gordus, from Gaulish *Gordos; * Otherwise, possibly ultimately from Old English *gor-dūn (“mud hill”) whence a habitational name.
What is the origin of the name Gordon?
Gordon is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Gordon?
Since 1880, 670 girls and 154,909 boys in the U.S. have been named Gordon (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1378 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #70 in 1935. In 2025, 209 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Gordon a boy or girl name?
Gordon is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 670 girls and 154,909 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.