Townsend Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Townsend originates from Old English, meaning 'enclosure at the end of a settlement.' It has evolved through historical forms such as Tunend and Tounesende. The name reflects geographical features and has historical significance in England. It does not have biblical relevance. Today, it is viewed as a classic name, associated with heritage.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Townsend"
Pronunciation
/ˈtaʊnˌzɛnd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Townsend is derived from the Old English elements 'tun,' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement,' and 'end,' meaning 'at the end of' or 'by the edge of.' It originally referred to a settlement located at the end of a town or an enclosure.
Meaning
enclosure at the end of a settlement
Language Evolution
Tunend (Old English), Tounesende (Middle English), Townsend (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Townsend gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages as a surname and later became adopted as a given name. It reflects geographical features and land ownership.
Variants & Derivatives
Towns, Townsley, Townsend
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Townsend is perceived as a classic and somewhat traditional name, often associated with a sense of heritage and stability.
Famous People
Townsend Harris, an American diplomat and politician, Townsend Warner, a notable author
📊 Townsend Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Townsend Name Visualizations
✨ Townsend Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 30 peak births in 2021
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Townsend"
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 "Townsend"
"Townsend" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3122nd of 7545 | 113 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3355th of 6773 | 91 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3597th of 7552 | 94 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7263rd of 10718 | 24 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6514th of 16616 | 90 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6843rd of 24088 | 164 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4598th of 23106 | 259 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 28476th of 30306 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Townsend" 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) |
- | - |
57.64% 3932nd/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Townsend" 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 "Townsend"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Townsend" 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 "Townsend" in the United States
The name Townsend is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha 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, Townsend has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Townsend' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3122nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3355th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3597th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7263rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6514th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6843rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4598th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 28476th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Townsend' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.