Banning is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "ban" which means "bannock," a type of round flat bread. The name Banning is believed to have been first used as a given name in the United States during the mid-19th century. It is not clear why this name was chosen by parents at that time, but it may have been inspired by the surname Banfield or Banbury, both of which are of English origin and mean "ban field" and "ban burh," respectively.
The name Banning is not particularly common, but it has appeared in various forms throughout history. For example, there was a Saint Banning who was a French bishop during the 7th century. Additionally, the name Banjo Patterson, an Australian poet and writer of ballads, may have contributed to the popularity of the name Banning in Australia.
Overall, while not extensively used as a given name, Banning is an interesting and unique option for parents looking for an unusual name with English roots. Its meaning, "round flat bread," adds a touch of culinary history to this distinctive moniker.
"The name Banning has seen a fluctuating but steady presence among newborns in the United States over the past four decades. Between 1975 and 2022, there have been a total of 60 babies named Banning born annually.
The name's popularity peaked in the late 1980s to early 1990s, with six births recorded each year from 1983 to 1993. It experienced a slight dip in popularity in the mid-2000s, with five births per year between 2008 and 2010. However, it regained its footing in the following years, with six births recorded annually from 2011 to 2012.
In recent years, the name Banning has seen a resurgence in popularity, with eight births recorded in 2020 and seven births recorded in 2022. This suggests that the name may be experiencing a new wave of popularity among parents in the United States."