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Auburn

Pronunciation: [ AHB-ern ]

Girl Name #5,376 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Warm as autumn leaves, vivid as a sunset

English American
Earthy Unique Bold Modern Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"reddish-brown, auburn color"
Origin: Old French/Latin
Language: English
"whitish, fair"
Origin: Latin alburnus
Language: Latin

Things to Know About This Name

  • Strongly associated with Auburn University, which may appeal to or deter fans of rival college football teams

The Story of Auburn

Auburn traces back to the Latin alburnus meaning whitish, which evolved through Old French alborne and then English auborne before shifting in meaning to describe the warm reddish-brown color we know today. This shift likely occurred due to confusion with the word brown in Middle English. By the 15th century, auburn had come to describe the rich chestnut-brown hair color that became associated with beauty and vitality in European culture.

Auburn as a given name represents the nature name and color name trend that has surged in the 21st century, following names like Scarlett, Violet, and Indigo. Parents drawn to earthy, distinctive names have embraced Auburn for its vivid imagery and connection to the warm hues of fall.

Auburn hair has long been celebrated in art and literature as a sign of fiery spirit and beauty. Celtic cultures particularly admired red and auburn hair, associating it with warriors and mythological figures. In American culture, Auburn is also the name of cities and a famous university in Alabama.

Fun Facts

  • Auburn hair color affects less than 2% of the world population
  • The word auburn changed meaning dramatically — it originally meant whitish before coming to describe reddish-brown

Auburn in Other Languages

French Auburn
German Auburn
Italian Auburn
Spanish Auburn

Popularity Over Time

#5,376
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Auburn

A

Auburn (various)

Other

Auburn is primarily recognized as a place name and color name used for girls in the modern nature-name trend

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#5,376
Total SSA Count
24
Cultural Origins
English American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Aub Bree Aubie

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Autumn Willow Rowan Sage Hazel Indigo

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Also a Boy Name

Auburn is also used as a boy name, ranked #19860.

View Auburn as a boy name →

Similar Names

Amber Avery Audrey Andrea Avery Embry Audrie Audree

Compare Auburn with...

Auburn vs Amber Auburn vs Avery Auburn vs Audrey Auburn vs Andrea

Same Origin Names (English)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Auburn

What does the name Auburn mean?
"reddish-brown, auburn color" (from Old French/Latin). "whitish, fair" (from Latin alburnus). Auburn traces back to the Latin alburnus meaning whitish, which evolved through Old French alborne and then English auborne before shifting in meaning to describe the warm reddish-brown color we know today. This shift likely occurred due to confusion with the word brown in Middle English. By the 15th century, auburn had come to describe the rich chestnut-brown hair color that became associated with beauty and vitality in European culture.
What is the origin of the name Auburn?
Auburn has Old French/Latin, Latin alburnus, English, and American origins. In Old French/Latin, it means "reddish-brown, auburn color". In Latin alburnus, it means "whitish, fair".
Is Auburn a boy or girl name?
Auburn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5376. As a boy name, it is ranked #19860. Auburn is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Auburn?
Auburn is pronounced AHB-ern.
How popular is the name Auburn?
Auburn is currently ranked #5376 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Auburn?
Common nicknames for Auburn include Aub, Bree, and Aubie.
What are good middle names for Auburn?
Popular middle name pairings include Auburn Grace, Auburn Rose, Auburn Leigh, Auburn Skye, Auburn Claire, and Auburn June.
What are good sibling names for Auburn?
Names that pair well with Auburn as siblings include Autumn, Willow, Rowan, Sage, Hazel, and Indigo.
How many syllables does Auburn have?
Auburn has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Auburn a common or rare name?
Auburn is an uncommon name, ranked #5376 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Auburn

Auburn is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "reddish-brown, auburn color" in Old French/Latin .

Is Auburn a boy or girl name? Auburn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,376 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,860. Auburn is more commonly used as a girl name.

Auburn is currently ranked #5,376 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Auburn has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHB-ern, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Auburn include Aub, Bree, and Aubie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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