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Home › Baby Names Directory › Durham

Durham

♂ Boy

Pronounced DUR-um /ˈdɜr.əm/Medium

Meaning: From the English place Durham — 'a hill island; a fortified hill on a peninsula' (Old English dun, 'hill', + Old Norse holmr, 'island'); a cathedral city; a place/surname-name; we note the placeLow

In 30 seconds: A hill island: Durham is an English place-name. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'DUR-um').
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the English place Durham — 'a hill island; a fortified hill on a peninsula' (Old English dun, 'hill', + Old Norse holmr, 'island'); a cathedral city; a place/surname-name; we note the place
U.S. rank (2024)#7874 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 303

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919152024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Durham comes from the English place Durham — 'a hill island; a fortified hill on a peninsula' (Old English dun, 'hill', + Old Norse holmr, 'island'; a cathedral city; a place/surname-name; we note the place). A crisp, modern name (said 'DUR-um').

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-name. Rare, a-hill-island at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Durham means 'a hill island; a fortified hill on a peninsula' (dun, 'hill', + holmr, 'island') — a cathedral city in England — a crisp, modern place/surname-name (we note the place; said 'DUR-um').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Durham — place/surname-name

Variations

DurrumDurem

Nicknames

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If you like Durham…

Everett— a companion place/surname boys' name
Harding— a kindred surname-name
Windham— echoes that soft -am sound
Latham— another English name
Hiram— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Durham

By themeuncertainenglishsurname-nameplace-name
By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Durham mean?

Durham is an English place-name, 'a hill island; a fortified hill on a peninsula'. We note the place.

How do you pronounce Durham?

It's said DUR-um /ˈdɜr.əm/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Durham a boy or girl name?

Durham is a boy's name here.

How popular is Durham?

Durham is a very rare name in the U.S.

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