Butch Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Butch originates from American English, derived from the term 'butcher', meaning a person who slaughters animals. It evolved from Middle English forms and gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a nickname associated with toughness. The name has a strong masculine connotation and is often used informally. It does not have biblical relevance and includes variants like Buddy and Butchie. Notable figures include Butch Cassidy and Butch Patrick.
The name Butch is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers 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, Butch has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Butch' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6687th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1727th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 702nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1472nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3110th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8790th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 12028th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Butch' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Butch"
Pronunciation
/bʌtʃ/
Origin
American English
Etymology
The name Butch is derived from the word 'butcher', which is a term used for someone who slaughters animals for meat. It is often used as a nickname for someone perceived as tough or masculine.
Meaning
butcher, tough guy
Language Evolution
Butcher (Middle English), Butch (20th Century)
Historical Usage
The name Butch became popular in the mid-20th century, particularly in American culture, often associated with masculinity and ruggedness.
Variants & Derivatives
Buddy, Butchie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Butch is seen as a colloquial and informal name, often associated with a strong, masculine image. It is also used within certain communities to denote a particular style or demeanor.
Famous People
Butch Cassidy (outlaw), Butch Patrick (actor)
Explore More Butch Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Butch"
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 "Butch"
"Butch" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6687th of 7545 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1727th of 6773 | 317 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 702nd of 7552 | 2,088 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1472nd of 10718 | 557 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3110th of 16616 | 292 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8790th of 24088 | 109 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 12028th of 23106 | 50 |
Regional Popularity of "Butch" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
67.27% 1040th/1546 |
- |
71.95% 1693rd/2353 |
67.23% 1040th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
29.37% 654th/2227 |
47.20% 1147th/2430 |
23.59% 673rd/2853 |
27.64% 767th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
63.82% 2223rd/3483 |
47.36% 1666th/3518 |
33.80% 1367th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
56.72% 2946th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Butch" 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 "Butch"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Butch" 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.