Governor Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The term 'governor' has its roots in Latin, meaning 'one who directs or controls'. It evolved through various languages before becoming a staple in modern English. The term signifies authority and leadership, particularly in political contexts, and does not have significant biblical relevance. Historically, it gained prominence in the 14th century and remains a vital part of governance today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Governor"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡʌvərnər/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The term 'governor' derives from the Latin word 'gubernator', which means 'one who directs or controls'. This is further traced back to the Greek word 'kybernētēs', meaning 'helmsman' or 'pilot'.
Meaning
one who governs or directs
Language Evolution
Latin: gubernator, Old French: governour, Middle English: governour, Modern English: governor
Historical Usage
The term gained popularity in the English language during the 14th century, particularly in reference to rulers or officials in charge of a territory.
Variants & Derivatives
Governess, Governorship
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the term 'governor' is commonly associated with political leaders who oversee states or provinces. It carries a connotation of authority and responsibility.
Famous People
George Washington (first Governor of Virginia), Ronald Reagan (Governor of California), Andrew Cuomo (Governor of New York)
📊 Governor Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Governor Name Visualizations
✨ Governor Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 17 peak births in 1923
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
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 "Governor"
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 "Governor"
"Governor" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2670th of 7545 | 152 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3110th of 6773 | 109 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4256th of 7552 | 58 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 9847th of 10718 | 7 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Governor" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Governor" 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 "Governor"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Governor" 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 "Governor" in the United States
Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Across generations, 'Governor' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2670th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3110th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4256th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 9847th out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Governor' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.