Stonewall is an unconventional and distinctive given name, derived from the historic event known as the Battle of Stonewall Jackson in the American Civil War. This name carries a strong sense of resilience, courage, and determination, much like the famous battle it commemorates. It was first popularized by American author Annie Dillard, who used it for her protagonist in her 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning book "The Stone Diaries". Today, Stonewall remains an uncommon yet memorable choice for parents seeking a unique name with historical significance and a robust character.
The name Stonewall appears to have seen varying levels of popularity over the past century and a half, with notable spikes during World War I and II. However, it seems to have largely fallen out of favor since the mid-20th century, with fewer than ten births per year from 1958 onwards, except for brief periods in the late 1960s, early 1970s, and most recently between 1994 and 2013.