London
LUHN-duhn
London takes its name from the capital of England, one of the world’s most famous cities.
The city name itself is pre-Roman in origin, possibly Celtic - Londinium was its Roman name - with its exact meaning lost to history. As a given name, London is a modern American phenomenon.
The name peaked at No. 85 in 2013 for girls, part of the broader trend of major city names being used as given names. At its height, nearly 3000 girls received the name annually. The cool Britannia factor and Olympic year buzz likely contributed.
What the name London means
Since 2013, the decline has been substantial. London ranked No. 355 in 2024 with 872 births, having fallen from No. 194 in 2020 in just 4 years. The drop has been among the steepest in this chart range.
Author Jack London (1876-1916) provides a literary association, while the city itself evokes history, culture, and cosmopolitan sophistication. The name works for both genders, though US usage now skews heavily female.
At 2 syllables, London has a strong, decisive sound. The prominent L opening and -don ending give it weight and substance.
Place names as given names often follow boom-and-bust cycles, and London appears to be well into its cooling phase.
For parents who connect with the city’s cultural richness, the name’s declining popularity means their child is increasingly less likely to encounter another London in the classroom.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named London
London - similar names
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