Holding steady.
Popularity of Chalmers since 1880
Babies named Chalmers per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Chalmers's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 15 |
| 1890s | 18 |
| 1900s | 23 |
| 1910s | 216 |
| 1920s | 275 |
| 1930s | 149 |
| 1940s | 151 |
| 1950s | 95 |
| 1960s | 54 |
| 1970s | 29 |
| 1980s | 32 |
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 18 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Chalmers is a rare Scottish name that reached its peak popularity in 1904, a year that saw its highest usage. In contemporary times, it is exceptionally uncommon; data from the latest year shows it is given to fewer than five babies annually. Its trajectory is stable but at a very low frequency, never ranking in the top 1,000 since records began in 1880. The name's strong Scottish heritage and surname style give it a distinguished, old-fashioned feel, appealing especially to families with Scottish roots or those seeking a name that blends history with rarity.
Chalmers originated as a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word 'camas' meaning 'a bay' or 'the son of the almoner' (the one who distributed alms). It is a variant of Chambers, with the 'Ch' pronounced as in 'loch'. The name was first recorded in the 15th century in Aberdeenshire and spread through Scotland and into Northern Ireland. By the 19th century it came into occasional use as a given name, particularly in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cal, Chal, Mers
Variants: Chambers, Chalmersson, Chalmersman
Sibling names for Chalmers
Names that share Chalmers's style, for a brother or sister.
