Jordan
Jordan Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈd͡ʒɔɹ.dən/
Meaning of Jordan: Jordan derives from the Hebrew Yarden, from the root yarad (to flow down, to descend), referring to the River Jordan flowing southward from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea.
The river is approximately 156 miles long and drops nearly 1,400 feet in elevation -- its name describes its essential character.
The Jordan River is one of the most sacred geographical sites in the Abrahamic traditions. It is the site of Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17), the Israelites' crossing into Canaan under Joshua (Joshua 3), and the place where Elijah ascended to heaven (2 Kings 2).
What Does Jordan Mean? Origin & Etymology
These associations made it a natural source for the baptismal name Jordan in medieval Christianity.
Crusaders returning from the Holy Land brought water from the Jordan to baptize their children in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, spreading the name across Western Europe. The name was used for both boys and girls in medieval England, making it one of the earliest genuinely unisex Christian names.
In the United States, Jordan became one of the defining names of the 1990s. For boys it peaked near rank 39 in 1997; the basketball fame of Michael Jordan (born 1963) was a primary driver.
For girls it entered the top 100 in 1990 and peaked near rank 52 in 1997, making it a simultaneous top-50 name for both genders -- a rare achievement.
Jordan ranked 56th for boys and 131st for girls in the US in 2024. It remains one of the most balanced genuinely unisex names in American use -- equally comfortable on either side of the gender line.
Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
How Popular Is Jordan?
Numerology & Symbolism of Jordan
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Jordan – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Jordan
What does the name Jordan mean?
Jordan means "to flow down" or "to descend," from Hebrew Yarden, rooted in yarad (to go down). The name describes the River Jordan's southward course from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, dropping over 1,400 feet in elevation. The river's spiritual significance transformed the geographic name into a personal one.
Is Jordan a boy's or girl's name?
Jordan is genuinely unisex -- it has ranked inside the top 100 for both boys and girls simultaneously, which is rare among American names. In 2024 it ranked 56th for boys and 131st for girls. The medieval use of Jordan as a baptismal name for both genders established this dual identity centuries ago.
How popular is Jordan in the United States?
Jordan ranked 56th for boys in the US in 2024. For boys it peaked near rank 39 in 1997; for girls it peaked near rank 52 in 1997. Michael Jordan's basketball dominance in the 1990s made Jordan one of the defining names of that decade, and both versions have held steady ever since.
Is Jordan related to Michael Jordan?
The name Jordan long predates the basketball player, but Michael Jordan's dominance of the NBA in the 1980s and 1990s gave the name extraordinary visibility. His six championships, five MVP awards, and global fame made Jordan one of the most recognizable names in the world. His surname as a first name likely drove the name's surge in the early 1990s.