Usher Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Usher has its roots in Old French, meaning 'doorkeeper'. It evolved through the Middle English period and has been linked to positions of service in noble households. While not widely common as a first name, it has gained recognition through contemporary figures. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
The name Usher is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast 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, Usher has been too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Usher' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6687th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5874th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5099th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7892nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5940th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3131st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2791st out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Usher' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Usher"
Pronunciation
/ˈʌʃər/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Usher derives from the Old French 'ussier', meaning 'doorkeeper' or 'usher'. It was used to denote someone who had the role of a doorkeeper in a royal or noble household.
Meaning
doorkeeper
Language Evolution
Old French: ussier, Middle English: usher, Modern English: usher
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages as it was associated with positions of service within noble households. It has remained relatively uncommon but was used as a surname before becoming more recognized as a given name in modern times.
Variants & Derivatives
Ussher, Ush, Ushar
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Usher is often associated with the famous American singer and performer Usher Raymond IV, who has contributed to its recognition and positive image in popular culture.
Famous People
Usher Raymond IV - American singer, songwriter, and dancer, Usher - a notable fictional character in various literary works
Explore More Usher Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Usher"
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 "Usher"
"Usher" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6687th of 7545 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5874th of 6773 | 11 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5099th of 7552 | 31 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7892nd of 10718 | 18 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5940th of 16616 | 107 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3131st of 24088 | 517 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2791st of 23106 | 531 |
Regional Popularity of "Usher" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
55.90% 1947th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
30.73% 1375th/4475 |
- | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
17.14% 885th/5164 |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
20.39% 915th/4487 |
- | - |
Regional Popularity of "Usher" 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 "Usher"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Usher" 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.