Jourdan is a unique and distinctive given name of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "jourdain," which means "of Jordan." The name Jordan itself comes from the Hebrew name "Yarden," meaning "to flow down" or "descend."
The name Jourdan has been used historically in France, but it is not as common as some other French names. It has also been used in other European countries and beyond, but it remains relatively rare compared to many other names.
There are a few notable figures with the name Jourdan throughout history. For instance, Louis Jourdan was a French actor who gained fame during the mid-20th century for his roles in films like "Can-Can" and "Gigi." Another famous Jourdan is French novelist Henri Jourdan, known for his works such as "Le Destin de Marie."
Today, Jourdan continues to be used as a given name, albeit sparingly. It is often chosen by parents looking for a distinctive yet meaningful name with a strong historical and cultural background. The name Jourdan has also been used in various forms of media and literature, further contributing to its recognition and appeal.
In summary, the name Jourdan is of French origin and means "of Jordan." While not as common as many other names, it has been used historically by notable figures and continues to be chosen today for its unique sound and meaningful origins.
The name Jourdan has seen a varied history of popularity over the past four decades in the United States. The earliest record shows five births in 1973, with a steady increase to twenty-four births by 1981.
The peak popularity of the name Jourdan occurred between 1986 and 1990, during which there were an average of eighty-two births per year. The years 1986 and 1987 saw the highest numbers with forty-one and forty-two births respectively.
However, after 1992, the popularity of the name Jourdan began to decline significantly. From 1993 onwards, there were consistently fewer than eighty births each year, with some years having as few as thirteen births (in 2019).
Despite this decline in popularity, the name Jourdan has maintained a consistent presence over time, with an average of thirty-nine births per year between 2007 and 2023.
In total, there have been 1847 recorded births of the name Jourdan in the United States since 1973. While it may not be as popular as it once was, the name Jourdan continues to be chosen for newborns across the country each year.