Gurney Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gurney has its roots in Old French, originating from the personal name 'Gurnaud', which means 'warrior' or 'protector'. Over time, it evolved through various forms and is noted for its historical connection to aristocracy in medieval England. Although it is not commonly used today, it carries a unique charm and is associated with notable individuals.
The name Gurney is most popular in North 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, Gurney has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Gurney' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1844th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1910th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2591st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7795th out of 10718 names. Discover how the name 'Gurney' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gurney"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɜːrni/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Gurney is derived from the Old French personal name 'Gurnaud', which is a diminutive of 'Hugues', meaning 'mind' or 'spirit'.
Meaning
warrior, protector
Language Evolution
Gurnaud, Gurney
Historical Usage
The name Gurney gained popularity in England during the medieval period, particularly among the Norman aristocracy after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Variants & Derivatives
Gurny, Gurne
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gurney is perceived as a unique and somewhat old-fashioned name, often associated with literary and historical figures.
Famous People
Gurney Norman, an American writer, Gurney Slade, a character from British television
Explore More Gurney Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gurney"
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 "Gurney"
"Gurney" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1844th of 7545 | 285 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1910th of 6773 | 267 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2591st of 7552 | 190 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7795th of 10718 | 19 |
Regional Popularity of "Gurney" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
42.77% 1012th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
43.90% 1033rd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
46.55% 1328th/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 "Gurney" 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 "Gurney"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gurney" 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.