"great fort, spacious hill"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic
Language: English
Gordon
Pronunciation: [ g-AWRD-uhn ]
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"from the marshy plain"
Origin: Old Welsh
Language: English
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The Story of Gordon
Gordon derives from a Scottish place name in Berwickshire, likely from the Brittonic or Old Welsh gor (great) and din (fort or hill), meaning great fort. The Gordon clan became one of the most powerful Scottish Highland families, and the name spread throughout the British Isles and beyond.
Gordon peaked in mid-20th century English-speaking countries, boosted by General Charles Gordon whose martyrdom in 1885 made him a Victorian national icon. The name fell gradually from the 1970s onward.
In Scotland, Gordon is an ancient and honorable clan name tied to the powerful Gordon family of Aberdeenshire. Gordon Ramsay has given the name modern visibility in a fiery culinary context.
Historical Record
Gordon first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 62,426 babies have been named Gordon in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gordon is past its peak , currently ranked #1,090 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Gordon of Khartoum's death in 1885 inspired countless boys named Gordon in the Victorian era
- Gordon Ramsay has earned 17 Michelin stars across his restaurants worldwide
Gordon in Other Languages
French
Gordon
German
Gordon
Spanish
Gordon
Japanese
ゴードン
Scottish Gaelic
Gordan
Popularity Over Time
#1,090
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gordon
G
Gordon Ramsay
Other
1966
British celebrity chef and restaurateur with 17 Michelin stars, known for Hell's Kitchen and MasterChef
G
Gordon Lightfoot
Musician
1938
Iconic Canadian singer-songwriter known for If You Could Read My Mind and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
F
Flash Gordon Fictional
Other
Science fiction hero created in 1934 who battles the evil Ming the Merciless to save Earth
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,090
- Total SSA Count
- 199
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Gordie
Gordo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gordon
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Gordon is also used as a girl name, ranked #28910.
View Gordon as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Gordon →Compare Gordon with...
Same Origin Names (Scottish)
See all Scottish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Gordon
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gordon
What does the name Gordon mean?
"great fort, spacious hill" (from Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic). "from the marshy plain" (from Old Welsh). Gordon derives from a Scottish place name in Berwickshire, likely from the Brittonic or Old Welsh gor (great) and din (fort or hill), meaning great fort. The Gordon clan became one of the most powerful Scottish Highland families, and the name spread throughout the British Isles and beyond.
What is the origin of the name Gordon?
Gordon has Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic, Old Welsh, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic, it means "great fort, spacious hill". In Old Welsh, it means "from the marshy plain".
Is Gordon a boy or girl name?
Gordon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1090. As a girl name, it is ranked #28910. Gordon is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Gordon?
Gordon is pronounced g-AWRD-uhn.
How popular is the name Gordon?
Gordon is currently ranked #1090 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Gordon?
Common nicknames for Gordon include Gordie and Gordo.
What are good middle names for Gordon?
Popular middle name pairings include Gordon James, Gordon Scott, Gordon Alexander, Gordon Andrew, Gordon Bruce, and Gordon Keith.
What are good sibling names for Gordon?
Names that pair well with Gordon as siblings include Donald, Alastair, Fiona, Hamish, Moira, and Angus.
How many syllables does Gordon have?
Gordon has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Gordon a common or rare name?
Gordon is an uncommon name, ranked #1090 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Gordon
Gordon is a boy name with Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "great fort, spacious hill" in Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic .
Is Gordon a boy or girl name? Gordon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,090 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,910. Gordon is more commonly used as a boy name.
Gordon is currently ranked #1,090 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Gordon has 2 syllables and is pronounced g-AWRD-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Gordon include Gordie and Gordo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis