Norman

Pronunciation: [ n-AWRM-uhn ]

Boy Name #1,313 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A historic name honoring the great Norse heritage

English French Scandinavian European

Vintage Classic Strong Traditional Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"man from the north, Northman"

Origin: Old French

Language: English

"Norse man, Viking settler"

Origin: Old Norse

Language: French

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with 'Normal Norman' stereotype in popular culture

The Story of Norman

Norman derives from the Old French 'Normand,' meaning 'Northman' or 'man from the north.' This referred to the Vikings who settled in what is now Normandy, France in the 10th century. When William the Conqueror led the Norman invasion of England in 1066, the name became established in England.

Norman was a top-20 American name in the early 20th century, particularly popular in the 1920s-1940s. It has since declined significantly, now carrying a strong vintage character. The name is associated with the Greatest Generation.

Norman carries significant historical weight as the name of a people who shaped medieval European history. The Normans transformed English language, law, and culture after 1066. Artist Norman Rockwell made the name synonymous with wholesome Americana.

Fun Facts

Norman Rockwell painted 321 covers for The Saturday Evening Post over 47 years
The Normans who conquered England in 1066 were descendants of Vikings who had settled in France just 150 years earlier
Norman is the basis of the surname 'Norman' meaning 'one who came from Normandy'

Norman in Other Languages

French Normann

German Norman

Italian Normanno

Spanish Normán

Scandinavian Norman

Famous People Named Norman

Norman Schwarzkopf

Military

1934

US Army general who commanded coalition forces in the Gulf War, known as 'Stormin' Norman'

Norman Rockwell

Artist

1894

Beloved American illustrator best known for his Saturday Evening Post covers depicting wholesome American life

Norman Bates Fictional

Other

Fictional antagonist from Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho, one of cinema's most iconic villains

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,313
Total SSA Count: 148
Cultural Origins: English French Scandinavian European
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Norm Normie

Pairs Well With

Norman James Norman Lee Norman Ray Norman Edward Norman Paul Norman Wayne

Sibling Names

Gerald Eugene Dorothy Barbara Harold Gloria Lawrence Shirley

Also a Girl Name

Norman is also used as a girl name, ranked #17390.

View Norman as a girl name →

Similar Names

Jordan Logan Golden Weldon Imogen Megan Jordan Meghan

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Norman

What does the name Norman mean?

"man from the north, Northman" (from Old French). "Norse man, Viking settler" (from Old Norse). Norman derives from the Old French 'Normand,' meaning 'Northman' or 'man from the north.' This referred to the Vikings who settled in what is now Normandy, France in the 10th century. When William the Conqueror led the Norman invasion of England in 1066, the name became established in England.

What is the origin of the name Norman?

Norman has Old French, Old Norse, English, French, Scandinavian, and European origins. In Old French, it means "man from the north, Northman". In Old Norse, it means "Norse man, Viking settler".

Is Norman a boy or girl name?

Norman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1313. As a girl name, it is ranked #17390. Norman is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Norman?

Norman is pronounced n-AWRM-uhn.

How popular is the name Norman?

Norman is currently ranked #1313 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Norman?

Common nicknames for Norman include Norm and Normie.

What are good middle names for Norman?

Popular middle name pairings include Norman James, Norman Lee, Norman Ray, Norman Edward, Norman Paul, and Norman Wayne.

What are good sibling names for Norman?

Names that pair well with Norman as siblings include Gerald, Eugene, Dorothy, Barbara, Harold, Gloria, Lawrence, and Shirley.

How many syllables does Norman have?

Norman has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Norman a common or rare name?

Norman is an uncommon name, ranked #1313 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Norman

Norman is a boy name with English, French, Scandinavian, and European origins . The name means "man from the north, Northman" in Old French .

Is Norman a boy or girl name? Norman is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,313 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,390. Norman is more commonly used as a boy name.

Norman is currently ranked #1,313 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Norman has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-AWRM-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Norman include Norm and Normie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.