Thurgood Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: THUR-good /θɜːrˈɡʊd/
Origin: English; African American
Meaning: English: Thor's good; African American: Derived from the surname Thurgood.
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Thurgood has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "þurh" meaning "through" and "gōd" meaning "good." This etymological composition suggests a meaning akin to "good through" or "goodness that prevails." The name is believed to have originated as a surname in England, evolving from its Old English roots into a more recognizable form by the late Middle Ages. It was later adopted as a given name, particularly in the 19th century, reflecting a trend of using surnames as first names in English-speaking cultures.
One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Thurgood is Thurgood Marshall, who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1967 to 1991. His significant contributions to civil rights and the legal landscape of the United States, particularly through landmark cases such as Brown v.
Board of Education in 1954, have cemented the name's association with justice and equality. Marshall's legacy has had a lasting impact on American society, making the name Thurgood synonymous with advocacy for civil rights and social justice.
Culturally, the name Thurgood resonates with themes of perseverance and moral integrity, reflecting the ideals of those who have borne it. The name's association with a prominent figure in American history has contributed to its enduring significance.
Additionally, the diminutive form "Thur" may be used informally, although it is less common. Overall, Thurgood embodies a rich historical narrative that intertwines linguistic roots with cultural and social milestones.
Famous people named Thurgood
In this section, you will find notable people named Thurgood. 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 Thurgood who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Thurgood 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.
Thurgood Marshall was a lawyer and civil rights activist best known for being the first African American Supreme Court Justice, arguing Brown v. Board of Education, and founding the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Thurgood, 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 Thurgood. 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 Thurgood was first seen in the United States in 1993.
Thurgood has ranked as high as #1242 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Thurgood has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Thurgood 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 Thurgood was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Thurgood
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.
No state data available for this year.
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 Thurgood.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 5 |