The name Laird is of Scottish origin and means "landowner" or "feudal superior." It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "laird," which originally referred to a landowner who held his lands directly from the king, rather than being a tenant of another lord. The term evolved over time to refer more generally to any substantial landowner in Scotland.
The use of Laird as a given name is relatively recent and uncommon. It has been used more frequently in recent years as a boy's name, perhaps due to its association with Scottish history and culture. However, it is still considered quite rare and unique.
Some notable people with the name Laird include American actor Laird Hamilton, known for his work on films such as "Crash" and "The Guardian," and Canadian musician Laird Paterson, who performs under the stage name Laird & the X-Legged Aliens.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Laird in the United States, it appears that this name has seen varying levels of popularity over the years.
From 1888 to 1936, the number of births with the name Laird ranged from a low of 5 births in 1888 to a high of 29 births in 1937. However, starting in 1942, there was a significant increase in the number of births with this name, reaching a peak of 46 births in 1949.
Interestingly, after 1950, the popularity of the name Laird began to decline, with fewer than 35 births per year on average from 1953 to 1972. The lowest point during this period was in 1972, with only 7 births.
However, there was a resurgence in the popularity of the name Laird starting in the late 1980s, with over 25 births per year from 1988 to 2006. The highest point during this period was in 2006, with 48 births.
Since then, the popularity of the name Laird has declined again, with fewer than 25 births per year on average from 2007 to 2022. The most recent data shows that there were 6 births in 2022.
In total, there have been 1901 births with the name Laird in the United States since 1888. While this name may not be among the most popular, it has maintained a consistent presence over time, with peaks and valleys in popularity throughout different decades.