Major Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAY-jer //ˈmeɪdʒər//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: greater; English: military rank
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Major has its roots in the Latin word "maior," which means "greater" or "larger." This term evolved through various linguistic stages, including Old French, where it became "maior" before entering Middle English as "maior" or "major." The transition into English was influenced by the use of the term in military and academic contexts, where it denotes rank or importance, thus embedding it within the language as a descriptor of significance. Historically, the name Major has been associated with various notable figures and contexts.
In the military, the rank of major has been a significant position since at least the Middle Ages, and it has been used in various armies around the world. The term also appears in ecclesiastical contexts, referring to a priest of higher rank.
In literature, the name has been used symbolically to denote authority and leadership, further solidifying its cultural significance. Culturally, Major carries connotations of strength and prominence, often associated with leadership roles.
The name has been used in various artistic and literary works, where characters named Major often embody traits of authority and responsibility. Additionally, the name has a diminutive form, "Maj," which has been used informally in some contexts, though it is less common.
Overall, the name Major reflects a historical legacy of importance and distinction, resonating through various spheres of life.
Famous people named Major
In this section, you will find notable people named Major. 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 Major who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Major 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.
Major Lazer is a music project best known for Lean On, Cold Water, and Light It Up.
Major Harris is a singer best known for Love Won't Let Me Wait, All I Ever Wanted, and I Got Over Love.
Major League is a sports comedy film best known for Major League, Major League II, and Major League: Back to the Minors.
Fictional characters named Major
The following list of fictional characters named Major 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.
Major Motoko Kusanagi is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Ghost in the Shell. She is a cyborg officer in the Public Security Section 9, known for her expertise in cyber warfare and investigations.
Major General Frank Burns is a fictional character from the film and TV series M*A*S*H. He is a surgeon and a member of the U.S. Army who often serves as a foil to the more laid-back characters in the series.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Major, 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 Major. 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 Major was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Major has ranked as high as #591 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Alabama.
In the past 5 years the name Major has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Major 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 Major was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Major (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 52 | |
| GA | 48 | |
| FL | 42 | |
| NC | 34 | |
| AL | 22 | |
| OH | 20 | |
| CA | 20 | |
| MS | 19 | |
| IL | 18 | |
| SC | 17 | |
| MI | 16 | |
| MO | 15 | |
| NY | 13 | |
| TN | 13 | |
| IN | 12 |
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 Major.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 490 |
| 2023 | 578 |
| 2022 | 703 |
| 2021 | 757 |
| 2020 | 911 |
| 2019 | 948 |
| 2018 | 944 |
| 2017 | 1,042 |
| 2016 | 988 |
| 2015 | 912 |
| 2014 | 934 |
| 2013 | 854 |
| 2012 | 556 |
| 2011 | 197 |
| 2010 | 238 |
| 2009 | 182 |
| 2008 | 90 |
| 2007 | 94 |
| 2006 | 83 |
| 2005 | 74 |
| 2004 | 75 |
| 2003 | 63 |
| 2002 | 78 |
| 2001 | 74 |
| 2000 | 55 |
| 1999 | 33 |
| 1998 | 36 |
| 1997 | 39 |
| 1996 | 36 |
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1994 | 46 |
| 1993 | 56 |
| 1992 | 48 |
| 1991 | 51 |
| 1990 | 62 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1988 | 60 |
| 1987 | 44 |
| 1986 | 51 |
| 1985 | 39 |
| 1984 | 53 |
| 1983 | 47 |
| 1982 | 51 |
| 1981 | 69 |
| 1980 | 65 |
| 1979 | 58 |
| 1978 | 54 |
| 1977 | 50 |
| 1976 | 46 |
| 1975 | 50 |
| 1974 | 59 |
| 1973 | 59 |
| 1972 | 57 |
| 1971 | 67 |
| 1970 | 72 |
| 1969 | 69 |
| 1968 | 55 |
| 1967 | 68 |
| 1966 | 57 |
| 1965 | 79 |
| 1964 | 83 |
| 1963 | 77 |
| 1962 | 67 |
| 1961 | 66 |
| 1960 | 71 |
| 1959 | 105 |
| 1958 | 97 |
| 1957 | 100 |
| 1956 | 98 |
| 1955 | 103 |
| 1954 | 111 |
| 1953 | 116 |
| 1952 | 116 |
| 1951 | 134 |
| 1950 | 134 |
| 1949 | 110 |
| 1948 | 120 |
| 1947 | 121 |
| 1946 | 108 |
| 1945 | 121 |
| 1944 | 129 |
| 1943 | 126 |
| 1942 | 122 |
| 1941 | 92 |
| 1940 | 127 |
| 1939 | 103 |
| 1938 | 98 |
| 1937 | 93 |
| 1936 | 103 |
| 1935 | 89 |
| 1934 | 95 |
| 1933 | 107 |
| 1932 | 125 |
| 1931 | 95 |
| 1930 | 143 |
| 1929 | 122 |
| 1928 | 150 |
| 1927 | 145 |
| 1926 | 147 |
| 1925 | 116 |
| 1924 | 150 |
| 1923 | 124 |
| 1922 | 151 |
| 1921 | 162 |
| 1920 | 169 |
| 1919 | 183 |
| 1918 | 153 |
| 1917 | 159 |
| 1916 | 130 |
| 1915 | 151 |
| 1914 | 109 |
| 1913 | 98 |
| 1912 | 68 |
| 1911 | 50 |
| 1910 | 46 |
| 1909 | 51 |
| 1908 | 38 |
| 1907 | 30 |
| 1906 | 39 |
| 1905 | 44 |
| 1904 | 31 |
| 1903 | 36 |
| 1902 | 46 |
| 1901 | 22 |
| 1900 | 51 |
| 1899 | 42 |
| 1898 | 42 |
| 1897 | 39 |
| 1896 | 42 |
| 1895 | 34 |
| 1894 | 37 |
| 1893 | 41 |
| 1892 | 41 |
| 1891 | 34 |
| 1890 | 27 |
| 1889 | 44 |
| 1888 | 37 |
| 1887 | 40 |
| 1886 | 31 |
| 1885 | 37 |
| 1884 | 36 |
| 1883 | 41 |
| 1882 | 44 |
| 1881 | 40 |
| 1880 | 28 |