How Many People Are Named Gordon?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Gordon

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 5,254 living people in the United States currently have the first name Gordon. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,803 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #442 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~5,254CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,803Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#442U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2000 (155 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~5,254
Historical Births (SSA)
5,803
All-Time Rank
#442
Historical Peak
2000

Key Insights for Gordon

Estimated Living Bearers
~5,254 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#442
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2000
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
8.2% Male · 91.8% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~657 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Gordon

Living Population Model
~5,254

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,803

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,175

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
23.4 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2000

Highest annual total: 155 registrations in 2000.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-10%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Gordon has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Gordon (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2000 (~155 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201013814124
201113614122
201213313120
201313013117
201412813115
201512512113
201612212110
201712012108
201811712105
201911511104
202011211101
20211101199
20221071196
20231051095
20241031093

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
3/100
1950s
6/100
1960s
12/100
1970s
25/100
1980s
44/100
1990s
54/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
83/100
2020s
35/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Gordon has been predominantly feminine (91.8% female vs 8.2% male).

Male: 8.2% (~478 births)Female: 91.8% (~5,325 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Gordon

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Gordon in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Gordon appeared 3,175 times, ranking #196 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,175 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#196
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Gordon Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~657 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~65712.5%
Texas (TX)~4839.2%
Florida (FL)~3576.8%
New York (NY)~3206.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2104%
Illinois (IL)~2053.9%
Ohio (OH)~1893.6%
Georgia (GA)~1733.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 5,254 people named Gordon are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 23.4 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Gordon: 23.4 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Gordon

How many people in the U.S. are named Gordon?

Approximately 5,254 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Gordon. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,803 birth applications for Gordon between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Gordon?

Gordon ranks #442 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Gordon comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Gordon most popular in America?

The name Gordon reached its peak historical popularity in 2000, when 155 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Gordon?

Gordon has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Gordon?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Gordon has been predominantly feminine (91.8% female vs 8.2% male).

Where is the name Gordon most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Gordon resides in California, with approximately 657 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Gordon in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Gordon appeared 3,175 times in census returns, ranking #196 in official 2020 returns.

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