Holding steady.
Popularity of Furman since 1881
Babies named Furman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Furman's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 51 |
| 1890s | 58 |
| 1900s | 101 |
| 1910s | 371 |
| 1920s | 512 |
| 1930s | 457 |
| 1940s | 406 |
| 1950s | 346 |
| 1960s | 223 |
| 1970s | 119 |
| 1980s | 69 |
| 1990s | 45 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Furman is a rare given name with roots in an English occupational surname, though its exact meaning remains uncertain. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1881, and its peak year of usage was 1900, after which it gradually declined. In 2025, the name does not have a rank or a 1-in-N frequency, reflecting its scarcity. Over the decades, Furman has remained a stable but obscure choice, never experiencing a revival. While it never had a strong regional concentration (with no top states recorded), it was used sporadically across the country, particularly in the early 1900s. Today, Furman is rarely chosen, making it a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with historical roots.
Furman is likely an English surname transferred to a given name, though its ultimate derivation is uncertain. It may come from Old French 'fourman' meaning 'furnace man' or from German 'Fuhrmann' meaning 'cart driver' or 'wagoner'. The name saw most use as a first name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the United States, possibly influenced by the surname of notable families.
Sibling names for Furman
Names that share Furman's style, for a brother or sister.
