Durham Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DUR-um //ˈdɜːr.əm//
Origin: English; Old Norse
Meaning: English: From the village by the river; Old Norse: 'Durham' refers to a fortified place.
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Durham originates from the Old English term "dun" meaning "hill" and "ham" meaning "home" or "village," which together can be interpreted as "the village on the hill." This etymology reflects the geographical features of the area in North East England where the name is most commonly associated. The name was adopted into Latin as "Dunelmensis" during the medieval period, particularly in reference to the city of Durham, which became a significant ecclesiastical center after the establishment of the Bishopric of Durham in the 11th century.
Historically, Durham gained prominence in the 11th century when the Norman Conquest led to the construction of Durham Cathedral, completed in 1133, and the establishment of the Durham Castle. The cathedral became a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a key example of Norman architecture.
The name Durham is also linked to notable historical figures, including Saint Cuthbert, whose relics were housed in the cathedral, and the Venerable Bede, an early medieval scholar whose works contributed to the Christianization of England. The city played a crucial role in the development of the North East region and was a center of learning and religious authority throughout the Middle Ages.
Culturally, the name Durham resonates with themes of strength and stability, often associated with the enduring nature of the cathedral and the historical significance of the region. The name has been used in various contexts, including as a surname and in place names across England and beyond.
The diminutive form "Dur" has also been noted in historical texts, reflecting a more informal or affectionate use of the name. Overall, Durham embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance that has persisted through the centuries.
Famous people named Durham
In this section, you will find notable people named Durham. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Durham who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Durham who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Durham Cathedral is a historic building best known for its Norman architecture and UNESCO World Heritage status.
Durham University is an educational institution best known for its research and academic programs.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Durham, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Durham. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Durham was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Durham has ranked as high as #11296 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Durham has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Durham is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Durham was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Durham.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6 |
| 2024 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 10 | 10 |
| 2022 | 12 | 12 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 | 11 |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
| 2014 | 10 | 10 |
| 2013 | 11 | 11 |
| 2012 | 9 | 9 |
| 2011 | 14 | 14 |
| 2010 | 8 | 8 |
| 2009 | 19 | 19 |
| 2008 | 15 | 15 |
| 2007 | 13 | 13 |
| 2006 | 7 | 7 |
| 2005 | 8 | 8 |
| 2004 | 5 | 5 |
| 2001 | 9 | 9 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 | 5 | 5 |
| 1947 | 5 | 5 |
| 1944 | 6 | 6 |
| 1943 | 6 | 6 |
| 1938 | 6 | 6 |
| 1927 | 7 | 7 |
| 1926 | 6 | 6 |
| 1924 | 10 | 10 |
| 1923 | 7 | 7 |
| 1921 | 7 | 7 |
| 1918 | 6 | 6 |
| 1917 | 8 | 8 |
| 1916 | 6 | 6 |
| 1915 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Durham
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.