Rand is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin. The name Rand is derived from the Scottish surname which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ranald". Ranald is composed of two elements: "rán" meaning "seal" and "dald" which means "powerful".
The name Rand does not have a specific meaning or history associated with it beyond its origins. It is not derived from any particular historical figure, mythological character, or religious significance. However, the name Ranald, from which Rand is derived, has some historical significance. Saint Ranald was a 9th-century Scottish missionary who was active in the Hebrides and who became the patron saint of Scotland.
In terms of popularity, Rand is not a common given name. It does not appear in the Social Security Administration's list of the most popular baby names in the United States or other countries such as England and Wales. This makes it an unusual but appealing choice for parents looking for a unique name for their child.
Overall, Rand is a distinctive Scottish name with a powerful meaning derived from its Gaelic origins. Its rarity makes it an attractive option for those seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Rand has had a varied history of popularity among parents in the United States over the past century.
The name first appeared with notable frequency in the early 1940s, with 28 births recorded in 1943. This number increased to 34 in 1944 and reached its peak of 65 births in 1947. The popularity of the name continued to grow throughout the 1950s, reaching a high of 112 births in 1952.
However, the trend reversed in the following decades. From the late 1950s onwards, there was a steady decline in the number of babies named Rand each year. By the early 1960s, the figure had dropped to around 40 births per year, and it continued to fall throughout the remainder of the decade.
The lowest point for the name Rand came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than 20 babies named Rand each year. However, there was a slight resurgence in popularity during the mid-1980s, with over 25 births recorded in 1986.
Despite this brief uptick, the name Rand has remained relatively uncommon in recent years. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of babies named Rand has ranged from a low of 8 (in 2001) to a high of 22 (in 2011 and 2012). The most recent data available shows that there were 16 births recorded in 2022.
In total, over the past century, there have been 2925 babies named Rand in the United States. While the name has seen periods of popularity and decline, it remains a unique choice for parents looking for an uncommon but meaningful name for their child.