Find out how popular the first name Burns has been for the last 38 years (from 1979 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Burns by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Burns is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Burns.

The history of the first name Burns

The given name Burns is of Scottish origin and is derived from the surname Burn, which is a topographic name referring to a stream or a burn, which is the Scottish term for a small river or brook. The name is believed to have originated in the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century, when surnames first began to be used in Scotland.

In Scottish Gaelic, the word "burn" is spelled "bùrn" and is pronounced as "burn" or "bern." The name is closely associated with the Scottish landscape and the natural features found in the country, particularly the numerous burns and streams that flow through its valleys and glens.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Burns can be found in the late 15th century, when a person named John Burnys was mentioned in the records of the Regality of Arbroath in 1491. This suggests that the name was already in use as a surname by that time.

The name Burns gained significant prominence in the late 18th century due to the legendary Scottish poet Robert Burns, who was born on January 25, 1759, and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. His works, such as "Auld Lang Syne," "A Red, Red Rose," and "To a Mouse," are celebrated for their vivid depictions of Scottish life and culture, as well as their lyrical beauty and emotional depth.

Other notable individuals with the given name Burns include:

1. Robert Burns Woodward (1917-1979), an American organic chemist and Nobel Prize laureate known for his contributions to the synthesis of complex organic molecules.

2. Burns Chambliss (1863-1937), an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio from 1917 to 1919.

3. Burns Mantle (1873-1948), an American theatre critic and historian who published the annual "Best Plays" series for over 40 years.

4. Burns Chalmers (1923-2009), a Scottish actor known for his roles in films like "Local Hero" and "Chariots of Fire."

5. Burns Paiute (1833-1917), a leader of the Northern Paiute people in Oregon and Nevada, who led his people during the Paiute War of 1865-1868.

While the name Burns has its roots in Scotland and is closely tied to Scottish culture and history, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries with Scottish heritage or connections.

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 Burns was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!