Garland Boy

Popularity: #926 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GAR-lənd //ˈɡɑːrlənd//

Origin: English; French

Meaning: English: a wreath or garland; French: a crown of flowers

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Garland has its roots in the Old French word "garlande," which means "a wreath or a crown of flowers." This term itself is derived from the Latin "garlandia," which also refers to a wreath, and traces back to the earlier Greek word "garlantion," indicating a decorative headpiece made of flowers or leaves. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French terms were adopted into the English language, particularly in the context of nobility and courtly life, where garlands were often used in celebrations and ceremonies.

Historically, the name Garland has been associated with various notable figures and events. In medieval times, garlands were symbolic of victory and honor, often awarded to poets and athletes.

The name appears in English literature as early as the 14th century, reflecting its cultural significance. Additionally, it has been linked to the tradition of May Day celebrations, where floral garlands were used in festivities, symbolizing the arrival of spring and fertility.

The name has also been borne by various saints and historical figures, contributing to its enduring legacy. Culturally, the name Garland evokes imagery of beauty, celebration, and nature, resonating with themes of honor and festivity.

It has been used in various artistic and literary contexts, reinforcing its symbolic associations. The name's diminutive form, Gar, has also been noted in some regions, though it is less commonly recognized.

Overall, Garland encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, reflecting its historical roots and associations with beauty and celebration.

Famous people named Garland

In this section, you will find notable people named Garland. 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 Garland who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Garland 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.

Garland Jeffreys is a musician best known for Ghost Writer, Wild in the Streets, and Matador.

Fictional characters named Garland

The following list of fictional characters named Garland is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Garland is a fictional character from the video game series Final Fantasy. He is the main antagonist of Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals and plays a significant role in the story's conflict.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Garland, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

GarrisonGrahamGideonGavinGarrettGalen

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Garland. 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.

GarlanGalenGrahamGarrettGideonGarrisonGavin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Garland was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Garland has ranked as high as #546 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Arkansas.

In the past 5 years the name Garland has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 12 12 0
2024 16 16 0
2023 28 23 5
2022 17 17 0
2021 15 15 0
2020 16 16 0
2019 25 20 5
2018 26 21 5
2017 25 16 9
2016 27 22 5
2015 21 21 0
2014 12 12 0
2013 18 18 0
2012 28 23 5
2011 27 21 6
2010 14 14 0
2009 20 20 0
2008 30 25 5
2007 25 25 0
2006 32 26 6
2005 37 26 11
2004 21 21 0
2003 27 27 0
2002 24 24 0
2001 40 40 0
2000 50 40 10
1999 38 38 0
1998 37 30 7
1997 48 48 0
1996 44 44 0
1995 57 50 7
1994 69 69 0
1993 62 57 5
1992 70 70 0
1991 68 63 5
1990 86 76 10
1989 77 77 0
1988 95 89 6
1987 72 72 0
1986 55 55 0
1985 72 64 8
1984 86 86 0
1983 85 85 0
1982 108 99 9
1981 117 110 7
1980 108 103 5
1979 103 103 0
1978 104 98 6
1977 116 116 0
1976 110 104 6
1975 144 144 0
1974 133 133 0
1973 162 153 9
1972 176 169 7
1971 173 164 9
1970 170 165 5
1969 180 173 7
1968 189 189 0
1967 173 168 5
1966 191 191 0
1965 218 213 5
1964 239 229 10
1963 247 240 7
1962 266 254 12
1961 310 298 12
1960 269 261 8
1959 242 236 6
1958 307 301 6
1957 277 271 6
1956 289 289 0
1955 342 331 11
1954 363 355 8
1953 346 333 13
1952 356 342 14
1951 405 394 11
1950 377 369 8
1949 417 402 15
1948 402 388 14
1947 380 369 11
1946 398 387 11
1945 326 316 10
1944 395 378 17
1943 458 446 12
1942 384 376 8
1941 392 381 11
1940 377 367 10
1939 367 357 10
1938 380 372 8
1937 383 374 9
1936 348 342 6
1935 370 360 10
1934 391 378 13
1933 383 375 8
1932 390 383 7
1931 368 362 6
1930 400 392 8
1929 390 384 6
1928 405 387 18
1927 383 374 9
1926 422 412 10
1925 430 405 25
1924 426 413 13
1923 454 434 20
1922 499 478 21
1921 466 454 12
1920 418 403 15
1919 402 379 23
1918 420 402 18
1917 413 396 17
1916 379 365 14
1915 365 343 22
1914 258 252 6
1913 209 193 16
1912 153 145 8
1911 95 87 8
1910 83 74 9
1909 63 57 6
1908 51 51 0
1907 56 56 0
1906 45 45 0
1905 60 60 0
1904 41 41 0
1903 27 27 0
1902 44 39 5
1901 35 30 5
1900 36 36 0
1899 44 44 0
1898 41 34 7
1897 33 27 6
1896 23 23 0
1895 30 30 0
1894 29 29 0
1893 25 25 0
1892 18 18 0
1891 18 18 0
1890 17 17 0
1889 9 9 0
1888 18 18 0
1887 17 17 0
1886 19 19 0
1885 12 12 0
1884 12 12 0
1883 11 11 0
1882 17 17 0
1881 7 7 0
1880 11 11 0

Top States for Garland (2010)

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.

State Births Share
TX 6
100%