Burns Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Burns' has its origins in Old English, meaning 'stream' or 'brook.' It evolved from 'burna' in Old English to 'burne' in Middle English and is recognized today as 'Burns.' The name is notable for its association with Scottish culture, particularly through the works of poet Robert Burns. It has no biblical relevance and gained popularity during the Middle Ages and the 18th century. Common variants include Burn and Burne.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Burns"
Pronunciation
/bɜrnz/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The surname 'Burns' is derived from the Old English word 'burna,' meaning 'stream' or 'brook.' It originally referred to someone who lived near a stream or a water source.
Meaning
stream, brook
Language Evolution
Old English: burna, Middle English: burne, Modern English: Burns
Historical Usage
The surname became popular in Scotland during the Middle Ages, particularly associated with the poet Robert Burns in the 18th century, which further solidified its recognition.
Variants & Derivatives
Burn, Burne
Modern Popularity & Image
Burns is often associated with Scottish heritage and culture, particularly due to the fame of Robert Burns. It is perceived as a traditional and distinguished name.
Famous People
Robert Burns, Burns Night celebrants, John Burns (politician)
📊 Burns Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Burns Name Visualizations
✨ Burns Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 30 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Burns"
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 "Burns"
"Burns" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1931st of 7545 | 266 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2625th of 6773 | 155 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3245th of 7552 | 122 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7892nd of 10718 | 18 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 21740th of 23106 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Burns" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
84.53% 2000th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
82.83% 1949th/2353 |
- |
| 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 "Burns" 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 "Burns"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Burns" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Burns" in the United States
The name Burns is most popular in Kentucky, 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, Burns has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Burns' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1931st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2625th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3245th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7892nd out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 21740th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Burns' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.