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Beckham

♂ Boy

Pronounced BEK-um /ˈbɛk.əm/High

Meaning: Homestead by the stream; from Old English becca (stream) + ham (homestead)High

In 30 seconds: An Old English surname meaning 'homestead by the stream,' now firmly a modern first name thanks to football superstar David Beckham's global fame.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningHomestead by the stream; from Old English becca (stream) + ham (homestead)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,590

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719022017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Beckham is an English surname derived from Old English becca ('stream, pick') and ham ('homestead, village'), so it means 'homestead by the stream.' It is a place-name surname from English villages. The surname became globally recognized through football (soccer) star David Beckham.

Beckham as a first name appeared in the U.S. charts largely after David Beckham became a global celebrity in the late 1990s and 2000s. It joined the roster of celebrity-inspired surname first names and appeals especially to football fans and parents who want a sophisticated, British-sounding name.

Did you know? David Beckham (b. 1975) named his son Brooklyn Beckham — now himself a celebrity — keeping the surname-as-first-name trend going across two generations.

Variations

BeckBeckem

Nicknames

BeckBex

Famous Bearers

  • ★David Beckham (b. 1975)
    English football icon and global celebrity, whose surname sparked the name's use as a first name.

If you like Beckham…

Bentley— same aristocratic English surname feel
Beckett— shares the Beck- opening and the literary-surname style
Barrett— sophisticated surname in the same category

Frequently Asked

What does the name Beckham mean?

Beckham is an Old English surname meaning 'homestead by the stream,' from becca (stream) and ham (homestead).

How do you pronounce Beckham?

Beckham is pronounced BEK-um (/ˈbɛk.əm/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Beckham a boy or girl name?

Beckham is used predominantly as a boy's name.

How popular is Beckham?

Beckham entered the U.S. top 500 in the 2000s on the strength of David Beckham's fame and has been rising since.