Burgess Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Burgess' has its roots in Old French and Middle English, meaning 'town dweller or citizen.' It evolved from 'burgeis' in Old French to its current form in Modern English. The name reflects traits of civic duty and community involvement. It does not have a biblical background. The name became popular during the Middle Ages as towns emerged, and it is currently viewed as a traditional surname associated with leadership.
The name Burgess is most popular in West Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South 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, Burgess has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Burgess' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1617th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1763rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2371st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3824th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7805th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 18006th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Burgess' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Burgess"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɜːrdʒɪs/
Origin
Old French, Middle English
Etymology
The name 'Burgess' originates from the Old French word 'burgeis' which means 'a citizen of a borough,' and it was adopted into Middle English. The term 'borough' refers to a town or district that is an administrative unit.
Meaning
town dweller, citizen
Language Evolution
Old French: burgeis, Middle English: burges, Modern English: Burgess
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages as towns and boroughs developed, and it was commonly associated with those who held civic responsibilities.
Variants & Derivatives
Burges, Burgessson, Burgessy
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, 'Burgess' is perceived as a traditional surname with a historical significance, often associated with civic leadership and community involvement.
Famous People
G. K. Chesterton (born Gilbert Keith Chesterton, a famous English writer who used the pseudonym 'Burgess'), Anna Burgess (a notable artist and educator)
Explore More Burgess Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Burgess"
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 "Burgess"
"Burgess" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1617th of 7545 | 347 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1763rd of 6773 | 306 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2371st of 7552 | 224 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3824th of 10718 | 117 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7805th of 16616 | 62 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 18006th of 24088 | 17 |
Regional Popularity of "Burgess" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
65.89% 1559th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
90.18% 2122nd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
- |
| 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 "Burgess" 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 "Burgess"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Burgess" 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.