Sherwood Boy

Popularity: — · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHER-wood //ˈʃɛr.wʊd//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: from the wooded area; Old English: scir (bright) + wudu (wood)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Sherwood has its roots in Old English, deriving from the elements "scir," meaning "shire" or "district," and "wudu," meaning "wood" or "forest." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "wood in the shire" or "district wood." The name likely referred to someone who lived near or in a wooded area within a specific shire. The transition into Middle English preserved this meaning, and the name has been used in various forms throughout history, including as a surname before becoming established as a given name.

Historically, Sherwood is most famously associated with Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, which became renowned as the legendary home of Robin Hood, a figure whose tales date back to the late medieval period. The earliest references to Robin Hood appear in ballads from the 14th century, and the forest itself has been a symbol of rebellion against tyranny and the fight for justice.

The connection to Robin Hood has contributed to the name's cultural resonance, evoking themes of adventure and heroism. In literature, Sherwood has been referenced in various works, notably in Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe" (1819), which helped to popularize the Robin Hood legend further.

The name has also appeared in other literary contexts, reinforcing its association with nature, folklore, and English heritage. The enduring appeal of Sherwood is reflected in its symbolic ties to the natural world and the romanticized notions of chivalry and justice that the Robin Hood stories embody.

While diminutive forms like "Sher" may exist, the name Sherwood itself carries a rich historical and cultural significance that has persisted through the centuries.

Famous people named Sherwood

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

We also feature individuals named Sherwood 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.

Sherwood Anderson is an author best known for Winesburg, Ohio, Dark Laughter, and The Triumph of the Egg.

Sherwood Schwartz is a television producer best known for The Brady Bunch and Gilligan's Island.

Sherwood Smith is an author best known for the Inda series and the Crown Duel series.

Sibling suggestions

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

HarwoodClydeEverettWinstonHarlowCarter

Similar names

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

HawthorneWoodrowLyndonFitzgeraldCameronGrahamBridgerHarrisonSawyerCyrus

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Sherwood was first seen in the United States in 1891.

Sherwood has ranked as high as #1114 nationally, which occurred in 1938, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Sherwood has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Sherwood 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 Sherwood 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 Sherwood.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2024 8 8 0
2023 6 6 0
2022 8 8 0
2021 7 7 0
2020 8 8 0
2019 6 6 0
2018 10 10 0
2017 5 5 0
2016 9 9 0
2015 5 5 0
2014 7 7 0
2013 5 5 0
2012 6 6 0
2010 5 5 0
2009 6 6 0
2008 5 5 0
2007 5 5 0
2006 7 7 0
2004 8 8 0
2003 8 8 0
2001 6 6 0
2000 11 11 0
1999 11 11 0
1998 6 6 0
1997 14 14 0
1996 11 11 0
1995 10 10 0
1994 10 10 0
1993 14 14 0
1992 13 13 0
1991 14 14 0
1990 17 17 0
1989 21 21 0
1988 12 12 0
1987 9 9 0
1986 16 16 0
1985 16 16 0
1984 20 20 0
1983 17 17 0
1982 16 16 0
1981 13 13 0
1980 17 17 0
1979 21 21 0
1978 24 24 0
1977 31 31 0
1976 28 28 0
1975 19 19 0
1974 22 22 0
1973 30 30 0
1972 36 36 0
1971 33 33 0
1970 42 42 0
1969 34 34 0
1968 39 39 0
1967 37 37 0
1966 45 45 0
1965 47 47 0
1964 49 49 0
1963 58 58 0
1962 53 53 0
1961 46 46 0
1960 56 56 0
1959 79 79 0
1958 84 84 0
1957 94 94 0
1956 94 94 0
1955 72 72 0
1954 84 84 0
1953 84 84 0
1952 89 89 0
1951 91 91 0
1950 88 88 0
1949 88 88 0
1948 79 79 0
1947 114 109 5
1946 96 96 0
1945 73 73 0
1944 101 101 0
1943 106 106 0
1942 101 101 0
1941 115 115 0
1940 118 118 0
1939 87 87 0
1938 120 120 0
1937 83 83 0
1936 103 103 0
1935 93 93 0
1934 92 92 0
1933 101 101 0
1932 88 88 0
1931 90 90 0
1930 89 89 0
1929 99 99 0
1928 117 117 0
1927 98 98 0
1926 109 109 0
1925 111 111 0
1924 105 105 0
1923 97 91 6
1922 91 91 0
1921 92 92 0
1920 97 97 0
1919 92 92 0
1918 84 84 0
1917 88 88 0
1916 77 77 0
1915 86 86 0
1914 66 66 0
1913 51 51 0
1912 34 34 0
1911 22 22 0
1910 20 20 0
1909 9 9 0
1908 11 11 0
1906 10 10 0
1905 7 7 0
1904 6 6 0
1902 6 6 0
1898 6 6 0
1897 7 7 0
1896 5 5 0
1891 5 5 0

Top States for Sherwood (1973)

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
VA 5
100%