"young man, boy"
Origin: Middle English 'ladde'
Language: English
Ladd
Pronunciation: [ l-AD ]
Boy Name
#4,806 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
1 Syllable
A vintage American name meaning 'young man'
English
American
British
Bold
Playful
Vintage
Minimalist
Strong
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Sounds identical to the common English word 'lad' meaning boy; may invite teasing in British English contexts
The Story of Ladd
Ladd is a surname-turned-given-name derived from the Middle English 'ladde' meaning 'young man' or 'boy,' itself of uncertain Old Norse or Old English origin. As a surname, Ladd was an occupational name for a servant or young male worker. Its use as a first name follows the American tradition of using surnames as given names, a practice that became especially popular in the 20th century. The double-d spelling distinguishes the name from the common English word.
Ladd saw modest usage as a given name in the United States primarily in the mid-20th century. Actor Alan Ladd (1913-1964), star of the classic Western Shane, brought the name into American cultural consciousness. Today Ladd feels distinctly retro, firmly embedded in a mid-century American masculine aesthetic alongside names like Chad, Brad, and Brent.
In British English, 'lad' remains an active word for a young man, and 'lad culture' is a well-documented social phenomenon in the UK. As a name, Ladd sits in the American tradition rather than the British one — British parents would be unlikely to name a child Ladd for this reason. In the US, it reads as a vintage Western-flavored surname name.
Fun Facts
- Alan Ladd starred in the classic 1953 Western Shane, one of the most celebrated films in American cinema history
- The word 'lad' remains in common daily use in British, Irish, Scottish, and Australian English
- Ladd was used as a surname by numerous families in early American census records before becoming a first name
Ladd in Other Languages
French
Ladd (used as-is)
German
Ladd (used as-is)
English
Ladd / Lad
Scottish
Lad
Popularity Over Time
#4,806
Current Rank
Peaked 1967
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Ladd
C
Cheryl Ladd
Actor
1951
American actress who played Kris Munroe on Charlie's Angels; Ladd is her married surname
A
Alan Ladd
Actor
1913
American film actor best known for his iconic role as the mysterious gunfighter in the 1953 Western Shane
S
Shane (Alan Ladd's character) Fictional
Other
The mysterious gunfighter Shane from the classic 1953 Western, one of cinema's most iconic heroes
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,806
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- English American British
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
Playground Safety
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ladd
What does the name Ladd mean?
"young man, boy" (from Middle English 'ladde'). Ladd is a surname-turned-given-name derived from the Middle English 'ladde' meaning 'young man' or 'boy,' itself of uncertain Old Norse or Old English origin. As a surname, Ladd was an occupational name for a servant or young male worker. Its use as a first name follows the American tradition of using surnames as given names, a practice that became especially popular in the 20th century. The double-d spelling distinguishes the name from the common English word.
What is the origin of the name Ladd?
Ladd has Middle English 'ladde', English, American, and British origins. In Middle English 'ladde', it means "young man, boy".
Is Ladd a boy or girl name?
Ladd is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ladd?
Ladd is pronounced l-AD.
How popular is the name Ladd?
Ladd is currently ranked #4806 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Ladd?
Popular middle name pairings include Ladd Michael, Ladd James, Ladd Thomas, Ladd Dean, Ladd Eugene, Ladd William, and Ladd Robert.
What are good sibling names for Ladd?
Names that pair well with Ladd as siblings include Chad, Brad, Brent, Tammy, Sandy, Patty, and Scott.
How many syllables does Ladd have?
Ladd has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ladd a common or rare name?
Ladd is an uncommon name, ranked #4806 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ladd
Ladd is a boy name with English, American, and British origins . The name means "young man, boy" in Middle English 'ladde' .
Ladd is currently ranked #4,806 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ladd has 1 syllable and is pronounced l-AD, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Ladd include Ladarius . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.