Garfield is a distinctive and unique male given name that originates from the medieval English period. It is derived from an Old French word "Garin" which means "spear". The name Garfield was popularized by the famous American cartoon character, Garfield the cat, created by Jim Davis in 1978. However, it is important to note that the use of this name predates the cartoon character and has been used as a given name for centuries.
The name Garfield is often associated with strength, leadership, and courage due to its meaning "spear". It was commonly used among medieval warriors and knights who would bear spears into battle. Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Garfield, such as American politician James A. Garfield who served as the 20th President of the United States.
In popular culture, apart from the famous cartoon cat, Garfield has also been used in various forms of media including literature and television shows. For instance, it was the title of a novel written by John Irving called "Garfield: His Own Story" which was published in 1986.
Overall, Garfield is an uncommon yet powerful name that carries a rich historical background and a unique meaning. It has been used throughout history by many notable figures and continues to be chosen as a given name today. Despite its popularity boost from the cartoon character, Garfield remains a timeless and distinctive name with a strong association to medieval warfare and leadership.
It appears that the name Garfield experienced significant popularity in the early to mid-20th century, with a peak of 119 births in 1918. However, its usage has declined steadily since then, with only 5 births recorded in 2021. The overall total number of births with the name Garfield is 5561 over this period.