Gordon

Pronunciation: [ g-AWRD-uhn ]

Boy Name #1,090 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Scottish stronghold of a name

Scottish English American

Traditional Strong Vintage Classic

Meaning & Origin

"great fort, spacious hill"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic/Brittonic

Language: English

"from the marshy plain"

Origin: Old Welsh

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Gordon

Gordon Ramsay

Other

1966

British celebrity chef and restaurateur with 17 Michelin stars, known for Hell's Kitchen and MasterChef

Gordon Lightfoot

Musician

1938

Iconic Canadian singer-songwriter known for If You Could Read My Mind and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Flash Gordon Fictional

Other

Science fiction hero created in 1934 who battles the evil Ming the Merciless to save Earth

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

Pairs Well With

Gordon James Gordon Scott Gordon Alexander Gordon Andrew Gordon Bruce Gordon Keith

Sibling Names

Donald Alastair Fiona Hamish Moira Angus

Also a Girl Name

Gordon is also used as a girl name, ranked #28910.

View Gordon as a girl name →

Similar Names

Arden London Jordon Judah Jordy Chandler London Jordi

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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.