Norman is a name of Old French origin, derived from the Germanic elements 'nor' meaning 'north' and 'mann' meaning 'man'. It was brought to England by the Normans who invaded in 1066 and has been used as a given name since medieval times. In its heyday during the Middle Ages, Norman was a popular choice among the nobility due to its association with the conquerors of England. The name is also associated with the Normans' architectural influence, as they introduced features such as pointed arches and ribbed vaults into English architecture. Today, Norman is still used but has become less common, making it a unique choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with historical significance.
The name Norman experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable increase starting around 1912 and peaking between 1924 to 1929, with a high of 55 births in 1926. After this peak, there was a gradual decline until the late 1970s when it became quite rare, with fewer than 10 births per year from 1972 onwards. Overall, there were 1603 Normans born between 1893 and 1988.