"the flowing river"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Jordan
Pronunciation: [ j-AWRD-uhn ]
Girl Name
#540 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A sacred river name with modern cool
English
American
Hebrew
Modern
Bold
Strong
Earthy
Minimalist
Meaning & Origin
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.
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
Famous People Named Jordan
J
Jordan Spieth
Athlete
1993
American professional golfer and three-time major champion
J
Jordan Peele
Actor
1979
American actor, comedian, and Academy Award-winning director known for Get Out and Us
J
Jordan Baker Fictional
Other
A fictional character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, a cynical professional golfer
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
Pairs Well With
Jordan Grace
Jordan Marie
Jordan Elise
Jordan Nicole
Jordan Renee
Jordan Faith
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Jordan is also used as a boy name, ranked #104.
View Jordan as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Jordan and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Jordan sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
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 and JJ.
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.
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.