Gordon is a Scottish surname and given name, derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Guthormr', which was composed of two elements: 'guð' meaning god and 'þorr' referring to Thor, the Norse god of thunder. The name was borne by several prominent figures in Scottish history, such as Sir William Gordon, a 15th-century Scottish nobleman who played a significant role in the Wars of Independence against England. Over time, Gordon has evolved from being predominantly a surname to also being used as a given name for boys. In its various forms and spellings, including Gorden, Gordy, Gordie, and Gordana (a female form), the name Gordon continues to be chosen by parents around the world due to its strong historical roots and distinctive sound.
The name Gordon experienced significant popularity fluctuations over time, with peaks occurring during World War I and a notable resurgence post-WWII. The highest number of newborn girls named Gordon was recorded in 1928, with 29 births. However, the name's usage has declined significantly since the mid-20th century, with only five or fewer occurrences per year since 1969. Overall, there have been a total of 670 girls named Gordon between 1893 and 1989.