All about the name

Burnam

Male

« Burnam is an uncommon American given name derived from the English surname Burnham, which originates either from a Buckinghamshire village or an occupational term related to fire. »

#37676 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Burnam is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the English surname Burnham, which itself has two possible origins. The first being that it was an habitational name for someone who lived in Burnham, a village located in Buckinghamshire, England. The second possibility is that it was an occupational name for a burner or burning agent, as it comes from the Middle English word 'burn', meaning fire. The meaning of Burnam is tied to its origins, with no specific definition attached to it as a given name. However, its roots can be interpreted as "from Burnham" if it's derived from the habitational name, or "fire or burner" if it's derived from the occupational name. Historically, Burnham has been used more commonly as a surname than a given name. In the United States, for example, there are over 3000 people with the last name Burnham, but only about 150 with the first name Burnam according to recent records. It is believed that Burnam was occasionally used as a given name in America during the mid-20th century, but it has not been particularly popular or widespread. Today, Burnam remains a rare and unique given name, often chosen by parents looking for something distinctive and memorable for their child. While its origins and meaning may not be widely known, Burnam carries a sense of history and uniqueness that sets it apart from more common names.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Burnam since 1880

Total births
6
Total since 1880
Peak year
1935
6 births
in 1935
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years