Autumn
Autumn Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
AW-tum
Meaning of Autumn: Autumn derives from the Middle English autompne, borrowed from Old French and ultimately from the Latin autumnus meaning the harvest season. Classical Roman writers used the word for the period between the fall equinox and winter solstice, as documented by etymology records,.
English speakers used autumn as a common noun for the harvest season from the 14th century onward, gradually displacing the older Anglo-Saxon word harvest for the season itself. American parents adopted Autumn as a given name during the 1970s nature-name wave, alongside other season options including Summer and April.
Autumn joins a cluster of season names that emerged in American naming practice during the counterculture era. Summer entered the US top 1000 in 1971 and peaked at rank 154 in 1977. April had peaked earlier at rank 25 in 1979, and June made its late-20th-century comeback alongside Autumn's climb.
What Does Autumn Mean? Origin & Etymology
Per US Social Security Administration records, Autumn first entered the girls' top 1000 in 1969 at rank 990. The name climbed steadily through the 1980s, broke the top 200 in 1997, entered the top 100 in 2001, and peaked at rank 62 in 2013 with 5,020 births.
As of 2024, Autumn holds rank 79 for US girls with 3,030 births, softly easing from its 2013 peak while holding steady in the top 100 for 24 straight years. The name performs strongest in the American South and Midwest, reflecting its association with harvest celebrations.
Variants across languages are limited because Autumn remains a distinctly English season name. French parents use Automne rarely as a name, and Spanish Otono does not translate into naming practice. Notably, the related names Aspen, Maple, and Hazel round out the American nature-tree cluster alongside Autumn.
How Popular Is Autumn?
Numerology & Symbolism of Autumn
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Autumn – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Autumn
What does Autumn mean?
Autumn means the fall season, from Old French automne and Latin autumnus. As a given name, it evokes harvest, warm colors, and the beauty of seasonal transition.
What is the origin of Autumn?
Autumn derives from Old French automne (Latin autumnus = fall season). It entered US girls’ naming in the 1970s and entered the top 100 in 1978. Autumn is the most successful of the four seasons as a US girls’ name.
How popular is Autumn in the US?
Autumn ranks 79 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 100 in 1978 and the top 75 in 1999. Autumn has ranked in the top 100 continuously for over 40 years.
What are variants of Autumn?
Autumn has no common formal variants. Autumne is a rare French-influenced spelling. Related season names include Summer (ranks top 250 for girls) and Spring (rare).
Is Autumn more popular for girls or boys?
Autumn is given predominantly to girls. It ranks 79 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.