Given name & surname · also Germanic
Norman
“a man from the north”
Norman is used as a given name and a surname. One English interpretation is “a man from the north.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One English interpretation is “a man from the north.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Germanic.
How it developed
Its Germanic formation brings together nord (“north”) and man (“man”).
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Norman through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 254,762
- 253,160 boys · 1,602 girls
- Most popular year
- 1928
- 5,637 babies
- 2025
- 169
- #1,200 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −6%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 169 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,200 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 6.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 5,590 in 1928. In 2025, Michigan had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (13). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 109,382 as a first name in 2020; 63,944 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Norman’s family of names
In English usage, Norman has a diminutive in Norm. Norman has a feminine form in Norma. In English usage, Norman has a related form in Normand.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Norman has relatives in 5 languages. Lines run from its Proto-Germanic roots to each of them.
12 related names in 5 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 22
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 7
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Norman
- Norman MailerAmerican writer (1923–2007)
- Norman BorlaugAmerican biologist (1914–2009)
- Norman FosterBritish architect (born 1935)
- Norman Ramsey Jr.American physicist (1915–2011)
- Norman HaworthBritish chemist (1883-1950)
- Norman ReedusAmerican actor (born 1969)
- Norman RockwellAmerican painter and illustrator (1894–1978)
- Graham HillBritish racing driver (1929–1975)
- Norm MacdonaldCanadian comedian (1959–2021)
Characters named Norman: Norman Bates (fictional character), Lechero (the television series Prison Break), Norman Osborn (2002–2007 Spider-Man film series character), Norman Stansfield (Léon: The Professional).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Norman, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Norton
“from the northern town”
>99% boys
Norris
“a man from the north”
>99% boys
Herman
“a soldier”
>99% boys
Melvin
“a friend who offers counsel”
>99% boys
Elvin
“a friend of the elves”
>99% boys
Alvin
“friend of the elves”
>99% boys
Olin
“filled with happiness”
>99% boys
Napoleon
“a man from Naples” · “son of the mists”
>99% boys