Find out how popular the first name Ches has been for the last 21 years (from 1977 to 1997) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ches by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Ches is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1997, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ches.

The history of the first name Ches

The name Ches is a diminutive form of the name Chester, which is derived from the Latin name Castra, meaning "camp" or "fort." This reflects the name's origins in the Roman era, when it was likely given to someone living near a Roman military camp or fortification.

The earliest known bearers of the name Chester were found in records from Anglo-Saxon England, where it was often used as a place name for settlements that had grown around former Roman forts or camps. One of the most notable examples is the city of Chester in Cheshire, which was originally a Roman fort called Deva Victrix.

In the Middle Ages, the name Chester was occasionally used as a given name, although its popularity was limited. One of the earliest recorded instances was Chester of Ponthieu, a Norman nobleman who lived in the 11th century and participated in the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

The diminutive form Ches emerged later, likely as a nickname or shortened version of Chester. One of the earliest known bearers of this variation was Ches Chetwind, an English landowner and member of Parliament who lived in the 16th century.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the first name Ches or its variants. Ches McCartney was a British folksinger and songwriter from the early 20th century, known for his work in preserving traditional songs from the north of England. Ches Muir was a Scottish professional footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s, and Ches Baragwanath was a South African cricketer who represented his country in the 1920s.

Another historical figure with the name was Ches Penney, an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the J.C. Penney department store chain in the early 20th century. Ches Rayner was a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the House of Commons in the mid-20th century.

While the name Ches has not been among the most common given names in modern times, it has a rich history rooted in the Roman era and has been borne by notable individuals throughout various periods and regions.

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

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

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