Standish is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English elements 'stan' meaning 'stone', and 'dæg' meaning 'day'. It was originally a surname given to someone who lived near a prominent stone landmark or monument. The name first appeared as a personal name in England during the Middle Ages, though it remained relatively rare. It is often associated with the Pilgrim Fathers, as Myles Standish was an English military officer and one of the founders of Plymouth Colony in the United States.
The name Standish is a rare one in the United States, with only five babies given this name each year as recorded in the Social Security Administration's birth data from 1919 onwards. This makes Standish an uncommon and distinctive choice for parents looking to give their child a unique name. Despite its rarity, there are no recent trends indicating a significant increase or decrease in its usage over time. Instead, Standish remains a consistently uncommon name, with around five births each year since its first recorded appearance in the data.