Gaylord Name Origin
Gaylord comes from Old French, a language spoken in medieval France. It started as a word meaning "joyful" or "high-spirited." People used it as a nickname for happy or lively folks.
Later, it became a family name passed down through generations. Over time, it turned into a first name, especially in English-speaking countries. It was popular in the early 1900s but is less common now.
- Type: First Name
- Gender: Male
- Pronunciation: GAY-lord
Gaylord Meaning
Gaylord is an old name that comes from French roots. It originally comes from the Old French word "gaillard," which means lively, cheerful, or high-spirited.
The name was formed by using this word as a personal name, showing someone full of energy and joy. It was brought to English-speaking countries after the Norman Conquest.
Symbolically, Gaylord suggests a happy and strong person. It was often used to describe someone with a bold and joyful character. Over time, it became a family name and a first name.
History
Gaylord is an old name that started in France a long time ago. It comes from a word meaning "joyful" or "high-spirited." People began using it in the Middle Ages.
When it came to English-speaking countries, the name became popular in the United States around the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was seen as a strong and cheerful name.
Over time, the name Gaylord became less common, especially after the mid-1900s. This is partly because the word "gay" changed in meaning, which affected how people felt about the name.
Today, Gaylord is rare but still used sometimes. It’s more often found as a last name or in place names rather than as a first name. The history shows how names can change with language and culture.
Famous People
Gaylord Perry was a famous baseball player. He was a pitcher and known for throwing a tricky ball called a spitball. He played in Major League Baseball for many years.
Gaylord Nelson was an American politician. He helped start Earth Day, which is a big event to protect the environment. He cared a lot about nature and clean air.
Gaylord Stinchcomb was a football player in the early 1900s. He played college football and was very good at it. He later played professionally too.
These men named Gaylord made a mark in sports and politics. Their name is not very common today, but they are remembered for their achievements.
Name Trends
This chart shows how many babies were given the name Gaylord each year, based on data from the U.S. Government's Social Security Administration (SSA). It's a fun way to see how the name's popularity has changed over time!
The blue line shows how many boys were named Gaylord, while the pink line shows how many girls were given the same name.
If the lines go up, that means more babies got the name that year. If they go down, the name was used less. You can spot trends, like when the name became really popular or started to fade.