Holding steady.
Popularity of Gaylord since 1882
Babies named Gaylord per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 25 |
| 1890s | 44 |
| 1900s | 114 |
| 1910s | 776 |
| 1920s | 1,223 |
| 1930s | 1,263 |
| 1940s | 1,270 |
| 1950s | 744 |
| 1960s | 323 |
| 1970s | 202 |
| 1980s | 80 |
| 1990s | 22 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gaylord is a historically masculine name that enjoyed modest popularity in the early 20th century, reaching its peak rank in 1931. Although the exact 1-in-N ratio for that peak year is not available, its trajectory shows a stable decline after the 1930s. The name's first recorded use in the U.S. was in 1882, and by the 2020s it had fallen out of regular use, largely due to shifting cultural perceptions of the word 'gay'. No top states are associated with the name in recent decades. Like many names from its era, Gaylord was part of a broader trend of using surnames as given names.
Gaylord originated as an English surname derived from the Old French given name Gaillard, which comes from the Germanic element *gailaz, meaning 'joyful' or 'high-spirited', combined with Old English 'lord' or 'master'. The name was later used as a given name in the 19th century, peaking in popularity in the United States during the 1930s. Its usage declined sharply after the mid-20th century due to changing cultural associations of the word 'gay'.
Where Gaylord is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gay
Sibling names for Gaylord
Names that share Gaylord's style, for a brother or sister.
