Travis
Travis Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
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Meaning of Travis: The name Travis derives from Old French traverser, meaning "to cross" or "pass through," specifically referring to toll road or river crossings. As an occupational surname, Travis described a toll collector at a crossing point. According to Online Etymology Dictionary, Old French traverser derives from Latin transversare, from trans (across) and vertere (to turn), sharing a root with English traverse and transverse.
The Travis surname established itself in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. County records from Northern England document the Travers and Travis surname from the 13th century onward in areas with significant medieval river crossings where toll collection was a recognized trade.
According to SSA records, Travis ranked #361 for boys in the most recent annual count, with 914 births recorded. The name peaked in 1991 in the top 30 boy names in the United States, reflecting a Southern American preference for rural, rugged-sounding names during the 1980s and early 1990s.
What Does Travis Mean? Origin & Etymology
William Barret Travis (1809-1836), the commander who led the defense of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, stands as the most historically significant American bearer. According to Britannica, Travis and 189 Texans held off approximately 1,500 Mexican Army soldiers for 13 days before being overwhelmed - one of the most iconic events in American military history.
Country music's Travis Tritt, hip-hop's Travis Scott, and the enduring Alamo legacy ensure the name carries a specifically Texan and frontier-American resonance. That combination of historical weight and contemporary cultural presence has maintained Travis in American naming consciousness well past its popularity peak.
How Popular Is Travis?
Numerology & Symbolism of Travis
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Travis – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Travis
What does the name Travis mean?
The name Travis derives from Old English roots, reflecting the Anglo-Saxon naming tradition that predates the Norman Conquest. Names of this origin typically referenced personal qualities, natural features, or family lineage meaningful to early English-speaking communities.
How popular is the name Travis in the United States?
According to SSA records, Travis ranked #361 for boy names in the United States, with 914 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 1991. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Travis come from?
The name Travis comes from English. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of English-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a boy’s name across the English-speaking world.