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Loudon
Pronounced LOW-dun /ˈlaʊ.dən/Medium
Meaning: Loudon is a Scottish surname from Loudoun in Ayrshire — a place-name usually read as 'beacon hill' or 'low hill', from an old British or Gaelic root plus the Anglo-Scots dun, 'hill, fort'. It moved into first-name use through the American habit of borrowing surnames.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Loudon comes from the Scottish place and surname Loudoun in Ayrshire, whose second half is dun, 'hill or fort'; the first element is read variously, so the sense is partly disputed, which we note. Scottish surnames travelled well to America, and Loudon has been used as a given name since the nineteenth century — Loudon Wainwright III kept it in earshot (said 'LOW-dun').
It is very rare in the U.S. Rare, Scottish, and sturdy.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Loudon mean?
Loudon is a Scottish surname from the place Loudoun in Ayrshire, whose ending means 'hill or fort'. The first part is read variously, which we note.
How do you pronounce Loudon?
It's said LOW-dun /ˈlaʊ.dən/ — two syllables, stress on the first, with the 'ow' of 'loud'.
Is Loudon a boy or girl name?
Loudon is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Loudon?
Loudon is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.