Lord is a unisex given name of English origin. It means 'having power and authority', 'noble' or 'ruler'. The name Lord is derived from the Old English word 'hlaford', which meant 'loaf-giver', referring to the head of the household who provided bread for his dependents.
The use of the term 'lord' as a title for nobility dates back to the Middle Ages, where it was used to address nobles and kings. Over time, Lord has also been used as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries such as England and the United States.
Lord is not associated with any specific religious or cultural tradition. However, it has been popular among royalty and nobility throughout history. For example, the British Royal Family includes several members named Lord, including Prince William's son, Prince Louis of Cambridge.
Today, Lord remains a relatively rare given name, but its usage continues to appear in modern pop culture, such as in the form of fictional characters like Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
In summary, Lord is an English unisex given name meaning 'having power and authority' or 'noble'. Its origin can be traced back to the Old English word 'hlaford', and it has been used as a title for nobility since the Middle Ages. While not particularly common, Lord remains a notable name with historical significance.
The name Lord has been given to babies born in the United States for over a century, with the earliest recorded birth occurring in 1917 and the most recent one in 2023. The popularity of this name has fluctuated over time, but it has experienced several periods of increased usage.
In the early years, between 1917 and 1954, there were an average of five births per year with the name Lord. This period saw a total of 68 births, with some years having as few as five births and others reaching a peak of seven births in 1954.
The late 1950s to early 1970s marked a significant increase in the number of babies named Lord. During this time, there were an average of nine births per year, with some years seeing as many as eleven or twelve births. This period accounted for 236 births in total.
The late 1980s to early 1990s witnessed another surge in popularity for the name Lord, with an average of ten births per year during this time. There were a total of 174 births in these years alone.
More recently, from 2000 onwards, there has been a consistent and substantial increase in the number of babies named Lord each year. Between 2000 and 2023, there have been an average of sixteen births per year with the name Lord, totaling 419 births during this period.
In summary, as of 2023, a total of 654 babies born in the United States have been named Lord. This name has seen periods of varying popularity over time but has experienced significant growth in recent years.