Holding steady.
Popularity of Norm since 1935
Babies named Norm per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 27 |
| 1940s | 162 |
| 1950s | 203 |
| 1960s | 154 |
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Norm is a short, punchy name that peaked in popularity in 1958, when it was at its highest rank. This diminutive of Norman saw consistent use throughout the mid-20th century and has since become a modest classic with nostalgic appeal. While it never cracked the top 1000 names in recent years, and was given to fewer than 5 babies per year in the latest decade, its trajectory remains stable. The name Norm has been in use since at least 1935, the earliest year for which the U.S. Social Security data is complete. Its simple, one-syllable sound aligns with a brief era when abbreviation nicknames like Al, Ed, and Jim were common as given names.
Norm is a diminutive of Norman, which itself derives from Old French 'Normant', a term for a Scandinavian settler in Normandy, ultimately from Old Norse 'Norðmaðr' meaning 'man from the north'. The name Norman was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and became popular as a given name. Its usage as a standalone given name in the U.S. peaked in the mid-20th century.
Sibling names for Norm
Names that share Norm's style, for a brother or sister.
