"the flowing river"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Jordan
Pronunciation: [ j-AWRD-uhn ]
Does Jordan flow with your last name?
A sacred river name with modern cool
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The Story of Jordan
Jordan comes from the Hebrew 'Yarden', meaning 'to flow down' or 'descend', referring to the Jordan River which flows from the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea. The river has immense religious significance as the site of Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist, making the name deeply sacred in Christian tradition. The name was originally given to those baptized in the Jordan River.
Jordan became a popular unisex name in the 1990s, partly fueled by basketball legend Michael Jordan's dominance during that decade. As a girl's name, it peaked in the late 1990s and has remained a consistent choice, particularly for parents who prefer gender-neutral names with a strong feel.
The Jordan River is one of the most sacred geographical features in the world, central to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. In Christian baptism theology, crossing the Jordan symbolizes entering the promised land. The name carries this spiritual weight while functioning perfectly as a contemporary, versatile name.
Historical Record
Jordan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 135,084 babies have been named Jordan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jordan is past its peak , currently ranked #540 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Jordan River appears in over 170 passages of the Bible
- Michael Jordan's fame in the 1990s made the name a popular choice across genders
- Jordan is consistently in the top 100 for both boys and girls in the United States
Jordan in Other Languages
Arabic
الأردن
French
Jourdain
Hebrew
ירדן
Italian
Giordano
Spanish
Jordán
Popularity Over Time
#540
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1997
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #540
- Total SSA Count
- 559
- Cultural Origins
- English American Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jordi
JJ
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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jordan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Jordan is also used as a boy name, ranked #104.
View Jordan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jordan
What does the name Jordan mean?
"the flowing river" (from Hebrew). Jordan comes from the Hebrew 'Yarden', meaning 'to flow down' or 'descend', referring to the Jordan River which flows from the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea. The river has immense religious significance as the site of Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist, making the name deeply sacred in Christian tradition. The name was originally given to those baptized in the Jordan River.
What is the origin of the name Jordan?
Jordan has Hebrew, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "the flowing river".
Is Jordan a boy or girl name?
Jordan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #540. As a boy name, it is ranked #104. Jordan is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jordan?
Jordan is pronounced j-AWRD-uhn.
How popular is the name Jordan?
Jordan is currently ranked #540 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jordan?
Common nicknames for Jordan include Jordi.
What are good middle names for Jordan?
Popular middle name pairings include Jordan Grace, Jordan Marie, Jordan Elise, Jordan Nicole, Jordan Renee, and Jordan Faith.
What are good sibling names for Jordan?
Names that pair well with Jordan as siblings include Riley, Taylor, Morgan, Cameron, Parker, and Avery.
How many syllables does Jordan have?
Jordan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jordan a common or rare name?
Jordan is moderately common, ranked #540 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Jordan?
About the Name Jordan
Jordan is a girl name with English, American, and Hebrew origins . The name means "the flowing river" in Hebrew .
Is Jordan a boy or girl name? Jordan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #540 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #104. Jordan is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jordan is currently ranked #540 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Jordan has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-AWRD-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jordan include Jordi and JJ. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jordan include Jordyn, Jordynn, Jordana . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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