Bayard Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Bayard originates from Old French, meaning 'reddish-brown'. It has evolved through various forms in the French language, maintaining its association with nobility and legend. The name carries traits of strength and loyalty, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the medieval period and remains admired today, associated with notable figures in history.
The name Bayard is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Bayard has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Bayard' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1620th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2174th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2547th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5194th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8930th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14070th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Bayard' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Bayard"
Pronunciation
/ˈbeɪ.ərd/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Bayard is derived from the Old French word 'baiart', meaning 'reddish-brown' or 'chestnut-colored'. It is often associated with a legendary character known as Bayard the Horse, a magical steed in the tales of the French knight Renaud de Montauban.
Meaning
reddish-brown
Language Evolution
Old French: Baiart, Middle French: Bayart, Modern French: Bayard
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late medieval period, particularly in France, due to its association with chivalric tales and the legendary horse of the same name.
Variants & Derivatives
Baiard, Bayart, Baiard
Modern Popularity & Image
Bayard is perceived as a strong and noble name, often associated with bravery and loyalty due to its historical and literary connections.
Famous People
Bayard Rustin, an American civil rights leader, Bayard Taylor, an American author and traveler
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Bayard"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Bayard"
"Bayard" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1620th of 7545 | 346 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2174th of 6773 | 215 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2547th of 7552 | 196 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5194th of 10718 | 61 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8930th of 16616 | 44 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14070th of 23106 | 33 |
Regional Popularity of "Bayard" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
79.45% 1125th/1416 |
62.29% 859th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Bayard" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Bayard"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Bayard" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.