Needham Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Needham is an Old English name derived from the elements meaning 'brave home'. It has evolved from Nīðhām in Old English through Middle English to its modern form. The name embodies traits of courage and strength, with no direct biblical relevance. Its historical usage dates back to medieval England, maintaining a sense of traditional significance while remaining relatively uncommon today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Needham"
Pronunciation
/ˈniːdəm/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Needham is derived from the Old English elements 'nīð' meaning 'brave' or 'courageous' and 'hām' meaning 'home' or 'village'. It signifies a 'home of the brave' or a 'village of courage'.
Meaning
brave home
Language Evolution
Nīðhām (Old English), Needham (Middle English), Needham (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Needham gained popularity as a surname in England during the medieval period and has since transitioned into a given name. It has been used consistently in various forms throughout English history.
Variants & Derivatives
Needam, Nidham, Nidom
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Needham is perceived as a traditional name with a strong historical background. It is often associated with English heritage and is considered somewhat uncommon yet classic.
Famous People
Needham B. Broughton (American politician), Needham J. Broughton (American artist)
📊 Needham Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Needham Name Visualizations
✨ Needham Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 15 peak births in 1923
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 3 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Needham"
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 "Needham"
"Needham" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2706th of 7545 | 149 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3339th of 6773 | 92 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4311th of 7552 | 56 |
Regional Popularity of "Needham" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
55.87% 1322nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
81.73% 1923rd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
68.91% 1966th/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 "Needham" 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 "Needham"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Needham" 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 "Needham" in the United States
The name Needham 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, Needham has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Needham' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2706th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3339th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4311th out of 7552 names. Discover how the name 'Needham' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.