Goldman is a surname of Jewish origin, derived from the Ashkenazic given name Goldmann. The name Goldmann is a variant spelling of Goldberg, which means "gold mountain". This surname was typically given to families who lived near gold mines or worked in gold mining.
The Goldman family history can be traced back to Germany during the Middle Ages. However, it was not until the 18th century that the surname became common among Jewish communities throughout Europe. The name has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States and South Africa, where large Jewish populations settled.
Today, Goldman is a well-known surname associated with prominent figures in various fields such as finance (e.g., Goldman Sachs investment bank), politics, entertainment, and science. Despite its widespread use, however, it remains relatively rare compared to other common surnames like Smith or Johnson.
In summary, the surname Goldman originates from Ashkenazic Jewish communities in Europe during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the name Goldmann, which means "gold mountain". Although it has since spread globally, its roots remain deeply intertwined with Jewish history and culture.
The given statistics show the annual birth count of babies named Goldman in the United States between 1910 and 1940. The data illustrates a varied pattern of popularity for this name during this period.
In the early years, from 1910 to 1915, there was an increase in the number of births with the name Goldman, starting with 6 births in 1910 and reaching a peak of 13 births in 1920. However, this trend did not continue as the birth count fluctuated between 7 and 13 from 1915 to 1922.
After 1922, there was a noticeable decline in the popularity of the name Goldman. The annual birth count dropped to 5 births in 1923, then remained at 7 births until 1929. There was another decrease between 1929 and 1940, with the birth count stabilizing at around 5 to 7 births per year.
Overall, over this 30-year period, there were a total of 104 babies named Goldman born in the United States. This statistic provides an interesting snapshot into the changing trends in naming patterns during this time.