Butler Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Butler has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old French word 'buttelier', which translates to 'wine steward'. It signifies a role in service, particularly related to the hospitality industry. The name has evolved from 'buttelier' in Old French to 'boteler' in Middle English, and finally to its modern form. There are no biblical connections associated with the name. It gained popularity following the Norman Conquest and is still recognized today, often associated with traits of service and tradition.
The name Butler is most popular in South Carolina, 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, Butler has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Butler' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1495th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2058th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2993rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7168th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13786th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Butler' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Butler"
Pronunciation
/ˈbʌtlər/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The surname Butler originates from the Old French 'buttelier', which means 'bottle bearer' or 'wine steward'. It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Meaning
wine steward, bottle bearer
Language Evolution
Old French: buttelier, Middle English: boteler, Modern English: Butler
Historical Usage
The surname gained popularity in England during the Norman period, particularly among those in service roles within noble households.
Variants & Derivatives
Boteler, Buttler, Buttlers
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Butler is viewed as a traditional surname, often associated with service and hospitality, reflecting a historical role in society.
Famous People
Jesse Butler, American politician, James Butler, 12th Earl of Ormonde, English noble, Robert Butler, American author and historian
Explore More Butler Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Butler"
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 "Butler"
"Butler" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1495th of 7545 | 388 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2058th of 6773 | 235 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2993rd of 7552 | 145 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7168th of 10718 | 25 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13786th of 16616 | 11 |
Regional Popularity of "Butler" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
56.00% 1325th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
76.41% 1798th/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 "Butler" 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 "Butler"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Butler" 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.