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

Popularity of Cameron by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Cameron is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 91% of people named Cameron being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5,069 male babies and 637 female babies born with the name Cameron.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 637 baby girls were named Cameron in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Cameron

The name Cameron has its origins in the Gaelic language, which was spoken in Scotland and parts of Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic word "cam-shron," which means "crooked nose" or "bent nose." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone with a distinctive nasal feature.

In the Middle Ages, the name Cameron was often associated with the Scottish clan Cameron, which traced its roots back to the 13th century. The Camerons were a influential clan in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Lochaber and Argyll. Their ancestral lands were located around Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cameron is found in the early 14th century, when a man named Sir John Cameron is mentioned in historical records as a supporter of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Another notable early bearer of the name was Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel, who lived from around 1618 to 1677 and was the 13th Chief of the Clan Cameron.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Cameron. These include the 17th-century Scottish soldier Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel (1629-1719), who fought for the Jacobite cause during the Glorious Revolution and the 1715 Jacobite Rising. Another prominent figure was the Canadian politician and judge Sir Matthew Crooks Cameron (1822-1887), who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons and as the Chief Justice of Ontario.

In the realm of literature, the Scottish novelist and playwright Charles Cameron (1841-1924) was a prolific author of his time, known for works such as "The Crucifixion of Philip Strong" and "The Autobiography of a Butterfly." The name also has associations with the arts, as exemplified by the American actor Cameron Mitchell (1918-1994), who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career.

The name Cameron has also been carried by several notable figures in the world of sports. For example, the Canadian ice hockey player Cameron Frye (1902-1979) played for the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League during the 1920s and 1930s. More recently, the American professional basketball player Cameron Johnson (born 1996) currently plays for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA.

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

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

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