Hardy Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Hardy originates from the Old French word 'hardi,' meaning brave, strong, or bold. It evolved through various forms, including Old French, Middle English, and Modern English. The name is associated with traits of bravery and strength. It has no biblical relevance but gained popularity in England after the Norman Conquest. Notable individuals bearing the name include authors and actors, contributing to its modern image as a strong and resilient name.
The name Hardy is most popular in Mississippi, 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. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Hardy has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling 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 South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Hardy' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 645th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 785th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 981st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1642nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3041st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4818th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2952nd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 27734th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Hardy' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hardy"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɑːrdi/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Hardy is derived from the Old French word 'hardi,' which means brave, strong, or bold. It was used as a surname and later adopted as a given name.
Meaning
Brave, strong, bold
Language Evolution
Old French: Hardi, Middle English: Hardi, Modern English: Hardy
Historical Usage
The name Hardy gained popularity in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century when French names began to influence English culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Hardie, Hardyson, Harden
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Hardy is perceived as a strong and resilient name. It carries a sense of bravery and determination, making it appealing to modern parents.
Famous People
Thomas Hardy, the English novelist and poet, Hardy Krüger, the German actor, Hardy Amies, the British fashion designer
Explore More Hardy Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hardy"
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 "Hardy"
"Hardy" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 645th of 7545 | 1,525 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 785th of 6773 | 1,185 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 981st of 7552 | 1,103 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1642nd of 10718 | 466 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3041st of 16616 | 301 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4818th of 24088 | 276 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2952nd of 23106 | 491 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 27734th of 30306 | 7 |
Regional Popularity of "Hardy" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
18.43% 436th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
23.76% 559th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
26.32% 751st/2853 |
45.01% 1249th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
- |
43.55% 1532nd/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
47.05% 2444th/5194 |
55.42% 3501st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
56.82% 4155th/7313 |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
43.54% 2970th/6822 |
35.95% 2256th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Hardy" 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 "Hardy"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hardy" 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.