Jordan: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Jordan mean and stand for as a girl's name?

Meaning:

Hebrew: Descending
English: Flowing down

Gender: Female, unisex

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Jordan is pronounced jor-dan

The name Jordan has Biblical roots, originating from the River Jordan in Israel. The river's name comes from the Hebrew word yarden, meaning "to descend" or "flow down." It holds significant religious connotations, frequently appearing in the Bible as the site where Jesus was baptized. It has gained popularity for girls and non-gender children alike.

Girl name variations

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Jordan mean and stand for as a boy's name?

Meaning:

Hebrew: Descending
English: Flowing down

Gender: Male, unisex

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Jordan is pronounced jor-dan

The name Jordan traces its origins to the Biblical River Jordan in Israel, which is derived from the Hebrew word yarden and means "to descend" or "flow down." The river holds profound religious importance as the site of Jesus' baptism. As a boy's name, Jordan gained widespread popularity across various cultures, maintaining its status as a favoured choice over the decades.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

English, French, German, Polish, and Slovenian; Spanish and Hungarian (Jordán): from the Christian baptismal name Jordan. This is taken from the name of the river Jordan (Hebrew Yarden, a derivative of yarad "to go down", i.e. to the Dead Sea). At the time of the Crusades it was common practice for crusaders and pilgrims to bring back flasks of water from the river in which John the Baptist had baptized people, including Christ himself, and to use it in the christening of their own children. As a result Jordan became quite a common personal name.

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Jordan in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Jordan Catalano from My So-Called Life - Teenage heartthrob known for his brooding demeanor and rocky relationship with Angela Chase.
Jordan Baker from The Great Gatsby - A professional golfer and love interest of Nick Carraway, characterized by her cool aloofness and questionable ethics.
Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh from Crossing Jordan - A forensic pathologist who works to solve complex cases while dealing with her own personal demons.
Jordan O'Neill from G.I. Jane - A determined Navy SEAL trainee who breaks gender barriers in the military.
Jordan Belfort from The Wolf of Wall Street - A real-life stockbroker whose life of excess and illegal activities is chronicled in this dramatic film.

Popularity of the Name Jordan

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Jordan has consistently been a popular choice in the United States. As of 2023, it remains within the top 100 baby names, demonstrating its broad appeal across different demographics. The name Jordan is of Hebrew origin, meaning "flowing down" or "descending," and historically refers to the Jordan River in the Middle East. Interestingly, the name Jordan was originally given to those baptized in holy water brought back by Crusaders from that river.

Noteworthy individuals with the name include basketball legend Michael Jordan, actor Jordan Fisher, and author Jordan B. Peterson. In fiction, characters named Jordan appear in various works, such as Jordan Baker in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby and Jordan Catalano in the TV series My So-Called Life, Teen Wolf, and Dexter. The enduring popularity of the name Jordan can be attributed to its strong, versatile nature and its association with prominent cultural figures.