Lyman is a name of English origin that has been used historically in the United States. It is derived from the Old English word "lim," which means "rim" or "edge." The name Lyman was likely first used as a given name in New England, where many people of English descent settled during colonial times.
The exact origins of the name Lyman are unclear, but it is believed to have been brought to America by early settlers from England. One possible explanation for the name's origin is that it may have been derived from an Old English personal name, such as Limman or Limmán. Another theory suggests that Lyman may be a variant of the name Lemuel, which appears in the Bible as the son of the prophet Mahaz.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lyman. One of the most famous was Thomas Lyman (1741-1805), who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from Connecticut and later became governor of the state. Another well-known figure is Frederick Lyman Tuttle (1836-1923), a Union Army officer during the American Civil War who went on to become a prominent lawyer and politician in Rhode Island.
Today, Lyman remains a relatively rare given name, but it continues to be used by families with English or American roots. As a surname, however, Lyman is more common and can be found among people of various backgrounds and nationalities. Whether as a first or last name, Lyman carries a rich historical legacy that traces back to the early days of colonial America.
These statistics show a significant decline in the number of births named Lyman over time. The peak years were between 1914 and 1922, with the highest being 220 births in 1917. However, by the year 2000, there were only 6 births each year, and this remained low, with some years having no recorded Lyman births at all. The most recent data shows a slight increase to 11 births in 2021 and 8 births in 2022. Overall, the total number of Lyman births from 1880 to 2023 is 8553.