Jordan
Jordan is a unisex name of Hebrew origin meaning “to flow down; descend.” It ranked #131 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Jordan?
JOR-dan
where does the name Jordan come from?
From the Hebrew יַרְדֵּן (Yarden), built on a root meaning to descend or flow down — an apt description of a river that runs from Mount Hermon to the lowest body of water on earth.
From the Hebrew Yarden, the name of the river that flows down from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, where Jesus was baptized. It became a gender-neutral given name in the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
how popular is this name?
Jordan has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 143 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 3. It peaked at #26 in 1997, and ranked #131 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #131 |
| 2024 | #104 |
| 2023 | #96 |
| 2022 | #92 |
| 2021 | #88 |
| 2020 | #82 |
| 2019 | #89 |
| 2018 | #80 |
| 2017 | #73 |
| 2016 | #65 |
| 2010 | #46 |
| 2000 | #36 |
| 1997 | #26 |
| 1990 | #29 |
| 1980 | #160 |
| 1970 | #486 |
| 1960 | #670 |
| 1950 | #819 |
| 1940 | #830 |
| 1930 | #704 |
| 1920 | #763 |
| 1910 | #859 |
| 1900 | #785 |
| 1880 | #356 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Jordan fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Jordan
Crusaders returning from the Holy Land brought back Jordan water for baptisms and began using the river's name for their children, which is how it entered European use in the twelfth century. The river's association with baptism, and with crossing into the promised land, made it a recurring image in spirituals. Michael Jordan gave the name a different weight from the 1980s.
who are famous people named Jordan?
- Michael Jordan (basketball player)
- Jordan Peele (filmmaker)
- Jordan Baker (The Great Gatsby character)
what are the nicknames and variants of Jordan?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Jordan?
what names go well with Jordan?
Sibling names that share Jordan's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Jordan
What does the name Jordan mean?
Jordan means “to flow down; descend”.
What is the origin of the name Jordan?
Jordan comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Jordanne, Giordano and Yarden.
How popular is the name Jordan?
Jordan ranked #131 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1997, at #26, and it has spent 143 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Jordan a boy or girl name?
Jordan is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Jordan?
Jordan is pronounced JOR-dan, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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