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Jordan

♂ Boy

Pronounced JOR-dun /ˈdʒɔːr.dən/High

Meaning: To flow down; to descend — from Hebrew Yarden, from yarad (to descend), the name of the Jordan RiverHigh

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew river name meaning 'to flow down,' Jordan was used by crusaders baptized in the Jordan River and became a given name. Its athletic fame via Michael Jordan made it a top-10 American name in the 1990s.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningTo flow down; to descend — from Hebrew Yarden, from yarad (to descend), the name of the Jordan River
Peak year1990
Total births (all-time)≈ 369,745

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199018802017

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

History & Origin

Jordan comes from the Hebrew Yarden, meaning 'to descend' or 'to flow down,' the name of the river flowing from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Crusaders and medieval pilgrims spread the name through baptism.

Jordan became a unisex name in the late 20th century, used for both boys and girls. Michael Jordan's fame in the 1990s pushed it to a top-10 boys' name. It remains a solid top-100 choice for boys.

Did you know? Medieval pilgrims and Crusaders were baptized in the Jordan River and brought back vials of the water to baptize their children, naming them Jordan in honor of the rite.

Variations

JordynJordin

Nicknames

Jordy

Famous Bearers

  • ★Michael Jordan (1963–)
    American professional basketball player, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.

If you like Jordan…

Tyler— 1990s athletic-era American surname name with the same peak popularity arc
Mason— modern American surname name with the same crossover unisex usage
Logan— Celtic surname name with the same 1990s-to-present chart staying power
Cameron— Scottish surname name with the same easy unisex American vibe

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jordan mean?

Jordan comes from the Hebrew Yarden, meaning 'to flow down' or 'to descend,' the name of the river flowing to the Dead Sea.

How do you pronounce Jordan?

It is said JOR-dun /ˈdʒɔːr.dən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jordan a boy or girl name?

Jordan is used for both boys and girls, listed here as a boy's name.

How popular is Jordan?

Jordan was a top-10 U.S. boys' name in the 1990s and remains in the top 100.