Find out how popular the first name Boyd has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Boyd by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Boyd is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 66 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Boyd.

The history of the first name Boyd

The name Boyd is a masculine given name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "buidhe" meaning "yellow" or "fair-haired." It likely originated as a nickname for someone with blonde or light-colored hair. The name gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Boyd can be found in the 14th century, when it was used by members of the Boyd family, a prominent Scottish clan based in Ayrshire. The Boyds were a powerful and influential family, playing a significant role in Scottish history and politics.

In the 15th century, Robert Boyd (c. 1470-1542) was a notable Scottish theologian and ambassador who served as the rector of the University of Glasgow. He was also a tutor to James V, King of Scots.

Another historical figure with the name Boyd was Mark Alexander Boyd (1563-1601), a Scottish scholar and poet who was known for his translations of ancient Greek and Roman texts. He was a professor of Greek at the University of Montpellier in France.

In the 18th century, Robert Boyd (1713-1781) was a Scottish minister and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Substance of Practical Religion" and "The Marrow of True Religion."

Fast-forwarding to the 20th century, Boyd Neel (1905-1981) was a renowned British conductor and founder of the Boyd Neel Orchestra, which specialized in performing contemporary and lesser-known works.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Boyd was Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015), a prominent leader and apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He served as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and was known for his influential teachings on various topics.

While the name Boyd has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and other countries with significant Scottish heritage and influence.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Boyd was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Boyd, please contact us.

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