Gordon

Gordon is a masculine given name of Scottish origin. It comes from the Old Norse personal name "Góthormr," which was composed of the elements "guth" meaning "god" and "hrmr" meaning "helmet." Thus, Gordon means "strong helmet." The name first appeared in Scotland during the medieval period when the Vikings ruled parts of the country. Over time, it became a popular Scottish surname before reemerging as a given name in the 18th century. Notable figures with the name Gordon include Charles George Gordon (1833-1885), a British Army officer known for his bravery during several campaigns in Africa and China; and William Alexander Gordon (1919-2014), an American businessman who served as the CEO of General Electric from 1979 to 1981. Today, Gordon is still considered a Scottish name but has been adopted by other countries as well. It can also serve as a surname or even a given name for girls due to its unisex nature in some cultures.