Truman is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the English surname Truman, which has a fascinating history behind it.
The surname Truman originated in England, where it was first recorded as a habitational name for someone who lived at a homestead known as 'Truman's'. The derivation of the name comes from the Old English elements 'trum' meaning 'proud' or 'bold', and 'ham' which referred to a village or settlement.
In the United States, the name Truman gained prominence due to its association with Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States (1945-1953). Although his birth certificate listed him as "Harry S.," he was known throughout his life as "Harry Truman." However, when he became president following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, there was a brief period where people were unsure how to address him officially. To clarify matters, Truman issued an executive order on April 12, 1945, stating that his full name should be used for all official purposes: Harry S. Truman. The 'S' stood for nothing; it was simply a family tradition to include an initial without spelling out the middle name.
Despite its presidential connection, the first name Truman remained relatively uncommon until recent years. However, since the early 2000s, there has been a resurgence in its popularity, particularly in the United States. Today, Truman is often chosen by parents seeking distinctive yet meaningful names for their sons.
In terms of its meaning and symbolism, the name Truman carries several possible interpretations due to its Old English derivation. It could be seen as representing boldness or pride, reflecting the original elements 'trum' and 'ham'. Alternatively, it might evoke associations with leadership and determination, given President Truman's role in guiding the United States through challenging times during and after World War II.
In summary, Truman is a unique and historic name of American origin. Derived from an Old English surname meaning 'proud village', it gained prominence through its association with Harry S. Truman, the 33rd U.S. President. With a rich history and distinctive sound, Truman has seen renewed popularity in recent years as parents seek meaningful names for their sons.
The name Truman experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. Starting with just 12 births in 1880, it peaked at 540 births in 1945, during or immediately after World War II. Since then, its popularity has steadily declined, reaching an all-time low of 33 births in 1981 and 29 births in 1982. However, there was a resurgence in recent years, with 220 births recorded in 2012 and 221 in 2014. As of 2023, the name Truman has seen a decline again, with only 113 births recorded. Overall, since 1880, there have been a total of 15,743 births named Truman.