Gannon is a surname of Irish origin that has been adopted as a given name in recent years. The name comes from the Gaelic word "agan" which means "little fire". In Ireland, the surname was originally found in County Kerry and was often associated with professional warriors known as "galloglass".
The Galloglass were mercenary soldiers who came to Ireland from Scotland and the Isles of Mann and Arran during the 13th century. They served powerful Irish families such as the O'Donnells and the O'Neills, earning their name due to their fierce fighting style and impressive physical stature.
Over time, the surname Gannon became associated with these warriors and spread throughout Ireland. Today, it is one of the most common Irish surnames and can be found in many different parts of the world where people of Irish descent have settled.
As a given name, Gannon has gained popularity in recent years due to its unique sound and association with Irish heritage. It is often chosen by parents looking for a strong, distinctive name for their son that also has historical significance.
In conclusion, Gannon is an Irish surname turned given name that is associated with strength, bravery, and fierce determination thanks to its origins among the Galloglass warriors of medieval Ireland.
The name Gannon has a rich history and popularity in the United States, as reflected in its birth statistics over time. In the late 1960s to early 1980s, the name saw fluctuating popularity with around 5-22 births per year. However, starting from 1990, there was a significant increase in its popularity.
In 1994 and 1995, Gannon ranked among the top 1000 names for boys, with 58 births each year. This trend continued to rise, reaching a peak in 2003 with 283 births, making it one of the most popular boy's names that year.
Interestingly, despite its popularity during this period, Gannon never made it into the top 1000 names for boys. This could suggest that while many families chose the name Gannon for their newborns, it was still considered somewhat unique or distinctive compared to other popular boy's names of the time.
The popularity of the name Gannon continued to fluctuate after its peak in 2003. Between 2014 and 2017, there were consistently around 300-500 births per year with the name Gannon, before dropping slightly to around 250 births annually from 2018 onwards.
In total, since 1966, there have been 6523 births in the United States with the name Gannon. This demonstrates that while it may not be one of the most popular boy's names overall, it has been consistently chosen by parents over several decades and remains a well-loved choice for newborns today.
In conclusion, the statistical trends for the name Gannon show that it has had periods of increased popularity since the late 1960s, particularly in the early 2000s. While it may not be one of the most popular names overall, its consistent selection by parents over many years indicates that it holds enduring appeal as a distinctive and meaningful choice for a boy's name.