MallowbyNames

Jourdan

JUR-dən · Derived from the river Jordan, meaning 'flowing down' or 'descend.'

Peak popularity
1990
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Declining since 1991

Declining since 1991.

Popularity of Jourdan since 1973

Babies named Jourdan per year in U.S. Social Security records.

60121181198020002020Most births 1990GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1970s020
1980s435311
1990s1,262721
2000s436465
2010s161263
2020s3089

Meaning & origin

Jourdan, a variant spelling of Jordan, emerged in the United States in 1980 and saw its peak year in 1990. Since 1991, its usage has been on a downward trajectory. While historically a unisex name, the Jourdan spelling has been more frequently chosen for girls. The name's connection to the sacred River Jordan gives it a timeless appeal, but its modern spelling distinguishes it from the more traditional Jordan. Though it has not ranked in the top 1000 recently, Jourdan remains a recognizable and well-used choice.

Jourdan is a variant of Jordan, which comes from the Hebrew Yarden, meaning 'to flow down' or 'descend,' referring to the River Jordan. The name gained popularity in medieval Europe, especially among Crusaders who brought back water from the river for baptisms. In the United States, Jourdan emerged as a modern spelling variant in the late 20th century, particularly for girls, though it remains unisex.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Jordy, Jordi, Dan, Dani

Variants: Jordan, Jordyn, Jorden, Jordin

Sibling names for Jourdan

Names that share Jourdan's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

J is for Jourdan, our favorite little person.

J is for Jourdan…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Jourdan's letter becomes Jourdan's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Jourdan's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Jourdan mean?
Jourdan means 'flowing down' or 'descend,' derived from the Hebrew name Yarden, referring to the River Jordan.
Is Jourdan a popular name?
Jourdan peaked in popularity in 1990 (the peak year in the data). Since 1991, its usage has been declining. It has not appeared in the top 1000 names in recent years.
Is Jourdan a boy or girl name?
Jourdan is used for both boys and girls, though the spelling Jourdan is more commonly given to girls in the United States.