Byrd is an English surname and given name of Norman origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Birghit, which is composed of the elements "bjarg" meaning "mountain" or "cliff" and "het" meaning "heap" or "cairn." Therefore, Byrd means "he who lives on a mountain" or "dweller by the cliff."
The name Byrd was initially used as a surname in England, but it has since become more popular as a given name for males. It is believed to have been brought to England by Viking settlers during the Anglo-Saxon period.
One of the most notable figures with the surname Byrd is Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr., an American naval officer and explorer who was known for his polar expeditions in the early 20th century. He was the first person to fly over both the North Pole and the South Pole, earning him the title of "the greatest living explorer" by TIME magazine.
In literature, the name Byrd appears in Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," although it is not one of the main characters' names. The protagonist of the story, Atticus Finch, has a friend named Tom Robinson who has the last name Byrd.
Overall, Byrd is an unusual and distinctive name that carries with it a sense of adventure and exploration due to its association with notable figures such as Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr. Its meaning also lends itself well to individuals who appreciate the beauty and grandeur of nature, particularly mountains and cliffs.
Based on the statistics provided, we can analyze the trend of babies named Byrd born annually in the United States from 1881 to 1963.
From 1881 to 1920, there were a total of 458 births with this name. The number of annual births varied greatly during this period, ranging from a low of 5 (in 1889 and 1903) to a high of 26 (in 1919). Interestingly, the years 1914 to 1920 saw an increase in popularity for the name Byrd, with the highest number of births occurring in 1919.
After reaching its peak in 1919, there was a decline in popularity. Between 1921 and 1953, only 251 babies were named Byrd annually in the United States. The highest number during this period was 24 births in 1922, while the lowest remained at 5 (in 1961). This shows a significant decrease in popularity over these years.
From 1955 onwards, there seems to be an increase in usage again with 8 births each year until 1960. However, this trend does not continue as we see only 5 births recorded for the years 1961 and 1963.
In summary, over these periods, Byrd was a popular name between 1881 to 1920 reaching its peak in 1919. Afterward, it had less popularity from 1921 to 1953 with some spikes here and there but overall declining trend until the end of data recorded which is 1963.