Whitman Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Whitman has Old English roots, meaning 'white man', and evolved from 'hwita' and 'mann'. It reflects traits of clarity and purity. While it has no biblical relevance, it gained historical significance through notable individuals, particularly in literature. Its modern image is associated with creativity and artistic expression.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Whitman"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɪtmən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The surname Whitman is derived from the Old English words 'hwita' meaning 'white' and 'mann' meaning 'man'. It originally referred to a person with a pale complexion or someone who lived near a white landmark.
Meaning
White man
Language Evolution
Hwita (Old English), Hwitman (Middle English), Whitman (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The surname Whitman gained popularity in England during the medieval period and has been carried by notable figures in American history, contributing to its recognition.
Variants & Derivatives
Witman, Whitmore, Whiteman
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Whitman is often associated with literary and artistic achievements, primarily due to the influence of the poet Walt Whitman. It carries a positive connotation of creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Walt Whitman, M. Whitman, Whitman Mayo
📊 Whitman Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Whitman Name Visualizations
✨ Whitman Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 39 peak births in 2018
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 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 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Whitman"
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 "Whitman"
"Whitman" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3744th of 7545 | 75 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4298th of 6773 | 44 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5200th of 7552 | 29 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6766th of 10718 | 30 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7482nd of 16616 | 68 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5089th of 24088 | 254 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3609th of 23106 | 368 |
Regional Popularity of "Whitman" 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) |
- | - |
66.11% 4510th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Whitman" 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 "Whitman"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Whitman" 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 "Whitman" in the United States
The name Whitman is most popular in North Carolina, 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. From 2020-2022, Whitman has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Whitman' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3744th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4298th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5200th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6766th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7482nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5089th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3609th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Whitman' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.