Chatham is a unisex given name of English origin, derived from the city of Chatham in Kent, England. The name has been used as both a masculine and feminine given name throughout history.
The origin of the city's name can be traced back to Old English, where it was recorded as Cetham orCethem. These forms derive from the elements ceotta, meaning 'settlement' or 'farmstead', and hamm, meaning 'enclosure'. Therefore, the literal translation of Chatham is "settlement in an enclosure".
The city itself has a rich history dating back to Roman times, with archaeological evidence suggesting that there was a Roman settlement in the area. The modern city of Chatham grew around a royal dockyard established by King Henry VIII in 1568, which played a significant role during the Napoleonic Wars and World War II.
As for the given name Chatham, its usage can be traced back to at least the 17th century. It was occasionally used as both a masculine and feminine name in England during this period. However, it is not considered among the more common names of the time.
Today, Chatham continues to be used as both a masculine and feminine given name. In recent years, there has been a slight increase in its usage, particularly for girls. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Chatham ranked #1790 among baby girl names and #1864 among baby boy names in 2020.
Overall, the name Chatham carries with it a sense of history and connection to the city of its origin. Whether used for boys or girls, it remains a distinctive and unique given name choice.
The statistics provided show the number of babies named Chatham born in the United States each year from 2003 to 2021. Over this period, there were a total of 39 babies given the name Chatham.
In the early years recorded, the number of newborns with this name fluctuated between five and six births per year. However, in 2016, there was a notable increase, with seven babies named Chatham born that year.
Despite the slight peak in 2016, the most recent data from 2021 shows a decrease back down to five births. This indicates that while the name Chatham has had some popularity over the years, it is not one of the more common names given to newborns in the United States during this period.
Overall, these statistics provide insight into the naming trends for babies named Chatham in the United States over nearly two decades.