Garland is a unisex given name of English origin, derived from the Middle English word 'gerland', which means 'garland' or 'wreath'. Historically, it was often used as a surname before becoming more commonly used as a given name in the 20th century. In literature, Garland has been used as a character name in works such as "The Garland of Hours" by Henry van Dyke and "Garland's Daughter" by Susan Glaspell. Today, it is still a relatively uncommon name, but its meaning makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking something unique yet meaningful.
The name Garland has seen varied popularity over the years, with a significant peak occurring between 1913 and 1925 when there were consistently high numbers of births each year, reaching as high as 25 in 1925. After this period, the number of annual births fluctuated but generally decreased, with some years showing no births at all (e.g., 1897, 1956-1959). The total number of births recorded between 1897 and 2023 is 855.