Deacon Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Deacon' originates from the Greek word 'diakonos', meaning 'servant' or 'messenger'. It has evolved through Old and Middle English forms. The name is associated with a role in early Christianity, which has contributed to its historical usage and enduring popularity. It is perceived as a traditional name with religious significance today. Notable figures include athletes and musicians who bear the name.
The name Deacon is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest 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, Deacon has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, falling 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, 'Deacon' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3824th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4984th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 852nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 486th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Deacon' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Deacon"
Pronunciation
/ˈdiːkən/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name 'Deacon' is derived from the Greek word 'diakonos', which means 'servant' or 'messenger'. In early Christian contexts, it referred to a church officer who served in various capacities.
Meaning
servant, messenger
Language Evolution
diakonos (Greek), deacon (Old English), deacon (Middle English)
Biblical Background
The term is used in the New Testament to refer to a specific role within the early Christian church.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Christian church during the early Middle Ages as it became associated with church officials who performed various duties.
Variants & Derivatives
Deak, Deke, Deaconess
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, 'Deacon' is often seen as a traditional name with strong religious connotations, but it is also appreciated for its historical significance and unique sound.
Famous People
Deacon Jones - American football player, Deacon Blue - Scottish pop band, Deacon Frey - Musician, son of Glenn Frey
Explore More Deacon Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Deacon"
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 "Deacon"
"Deacon" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3824th of 10718 | 117 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4984th of 16616 | 145 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 852nd of 24088 | 3,467 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 486th of 23106 | 7,309 |
Regional Popularity of "Deacon" by Generation for Male 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) |
14.25% 653rd/4582 |
24.46% 1263rd/5164 |
11.88% 869th/7313 |
12.09% 902nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
9.56% 381st/3984 |
14.40% 646th/4487 |
6.76% 461st/6822 |
9.61% 603rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Deacon" 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 "Deacon"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Deacon" 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.