Holding steady.
Popularity of Bunyan since 1913
Babies named Bunyan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bunyan's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 48 |
| 1920s | 47 |
| 1930s | 27 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Bunyan is a rare given name derived from a notable English surname, most famously associated with John Bunyan, author of 'The Pilgrim's Progress.' The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1913, which also marked its peak year, though it has never achieved widespread use. Data shows that Bunyan has a trajectory described as stable, indicating minimal changes in its already low usage over the decades. The name has no recorded top states, reflecting its rarity across the country. Although it carries literary and historical weight through its surname association, Bunyan remains an uncommon choice for a first name.
Bunyan is most familiar as a surname, notably borne by the 17th-century English writer John Bunyan. Its use as a given name is rare and likely developed from the surname, which may derive from a place name or a medieval personal name. The name has no well-established meaning beyond its association with the surname.
Sibling names for Bunyan
Names that share Bunyan's style, for a brother or sister.
