Holding steady.
Popularity of Gordan since 1912
Babies named Gordan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1930, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gordan's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 114 |
| 1920s | 171 |
| 1930s | 150 |
| 1940s | 119 |
| 1950s | 116 |
| 1960s | 126 |
| 1970s | 54 |
| 1980s | 70 |
| 1990s | 63 |
| 2000s | 29 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gordan is an extremely rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1912 with only a handful of occurrences each year. It has never ranked among the top 1000 names, and its peak usage was in 1912, the same year it was first recorded. The name has remained relatively stable over the decades, with no significant spikes or declines, reflecting a consistent but very low level of use. Gordan is primarily a variant spelling of Gordon, a Scottish clan name tied to a place meaning 'spacious fort'. Despite its obscurity, Gordan offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Gordon, with a similar pronunciation and history. The name did not appear in any top states in recent data, suggesting it is spread thinly across the country.
Gordan is likely a variant spelling of Gordon, a name that originates from a Scottish place name in Berwickshire. The place name itself is derived from the Brythonic elements 'gor' (spacious) and 'din' (fort), meaning 'spacious fort'. As a given name, it was popularized by the Scottish clan Gordon and has been used since at least the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gordy
Variants: Gordon
Sibling names for Gordan
Names that share Gordan's style, for a brother or sister.
