Newman Boy

Popularity: — · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NOO-muhn //ˈnjuː.mən//

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: English: new man; Hebrew: pleasant

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Newman has its roots in the Old English term "neowe" meaning "new" and "man," which translates to "new man." This etymological combination reflects a literal interpretation of a person who is new or a newcomer. The name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Old English to Middle English, and eventually into modern English.

It is believed that the name was used as a surname before being adopted as a given name, particularly in the context of identifying individuals who were new settlers or members of a community. Historically, the surname Newman can be traced back to the medieval period in England, with records appearing as early as the 13th century.

It gained prominence through various notable figures, including individuals in the clergy and academia. The name is associated with several historical milestones, such as the establishment of the Newman family in the English gentry and the contributions of John Henry Newman, a prominent 19th-century theologian and cardinal known for his role in the Oxford Movement and his writings on faith and reason.

His influence extended into the realms of education and religious thought, further embedding the name in cultural history. Culturally, the name Newman carries connotations of renewal and transformation, resonating with themes of change and new beginnings.

In literature and the arts, it has been used symbolically to represent characters or themes associated with innovation or fresh perspectives. The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as New or Newy, which reflect its adaptability and enduring presence in various contexts.

Overall, Newman encapsulates a rich historical and cultural narrative, signifying not just a name but a legacy of renewal and intellectual pursuit.

Fictional characters named Newman

The following list of fictional characters named Newman 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.

Newman is a fictional character from the TV show Seinfeld. He is a mail carrier and a recurring antagonist to Jerry Seinfeld, often involved in humorous schemes.

Sibling suggestions

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

NathanNoahNolanNashNicoNiles

Similar names

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

EthanSimonMasonJulianOwenCohenGideonReubenDorianSebastian

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Newman was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Newman has ranked as high as #1696 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and Kentucky.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Newman 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 Newman 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 Newman.

Year Total Births Boy
2024 5 5
2019 6 6
2017 5 5
2015 6 6
2012 6 6
2011 7 7
2009 9 9
2007 5 5
2005 7 7
2004 5 5
2000 6 6
1999 5 5
1998 5 5
1996 6 6
1994 6 6
1993 9 9
1991 5 5
1990 8 8
1989 8 8
1988 6 6
1987 6 6
1986 6 6
1985 5 5
1984 7 7
1983 5 5
1982 7 7
1981 5 5
1977 13 13
1976 9 9
1974 9 9
1973 6 6
1972 13 13
1971 9 9
1970 14 14
1969 10 10
1968 9 9
1967 13 13
1966 12 12
1965 11 11
1964 9 9
1963 11 11
1962 11 11
1961 12 12
1960 11 11
1959 15 15
1958 8 8
1957 12 12
1956 14 14
1955 14 14
1954 15 15
1953 19 19
1952 24 24
1951 12 12
1950 30 30
1949 16 16
1948 23 23
1947 17 17
1946 16 16
1945 25 25
1944 24 24
1943 20 20
1942 21 21
1941 20 20
1940 16 16
1939 22 22
1938 19 19
1937 23 23
1936 18 18
1935 16 16
1934 27 27
1933 33 33
1932 26 26
1931 34 34
1930 43 43
1929 42 42
1928 33 33
1927 41 41
1926 43 43
1925 42 42
1924 46 46
1923 49 49
1922 32 32
1921 67 67
1920 47 47
1919 45 45
1918 58 58
1917 36 36
1916 48 48
1915 37 37
1914 42 42
1913 25 25
1912 19 19
1911 9 9
1910 11 11
1909 13 13
1908 6 6
1907 11 11
1905 10 10
1903 6 6
1902 5 5
1900 5 5
1898 7 7
1896 8 8
1895 13 13
1894 10 10
1893 5 5
1892 8 8
1891 8 8
1890 7 7
1889 7 7
1888 5 5
1887 7 7
1885 6 6
1882 7 7

Top States for Newman (1952)

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 5
100%