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

Popularity of Chester by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Chester is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Chester being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 94 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Chester.

The history of the first name Chester

The name Chester has its origins in the Latin language and can be traced back to ancient Roman times. It is derived from the Latin word "castrum," which means "fortified place" or "camp." This word was likely used to refer to the Roman military encampments and fortified settlements established throughout their conquered territories.

In the early days of the Roman Empire, Chester was likely a name given to individuals who lived in or were associated with these fortified camps or settlements. As the Roman Empire expanded, the name spread to various regions, including parts of modern-day Britain, where it was likely introduced by Roman soldiers and settlers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chester can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions several individuals with the name Chester, indicating its usage during the Norman period in English history.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Chester remained in use, particularly in England and other parts of the British Isles. It was often associated with individuals who lived in or near the city of Chester, which was founded as a Roman fortified settlement and played a significant role in English history.

Notable historical figures who bore the name Chester include Chester Nez (1915-2014), a Navajo code talker during World War II who played a crucial role in transmitting coded messages for the United States military. Another famous bearer of the name was Chester Greenough (1857-1923), an American educator and author who made significant contributions to the field of classical studies.

In the realm of literature, Chester Himes (1909-1984) was an influential African American writer known for his hard-boiled detective fiction and social commentary on race relations in America. Chester Gould (1900-1985) was the creator of the popular comic strip "Dick Tracy," which ran for over 50 years and became a cultural icon.

One cannot overlook Chester Arthur (1829-1886), the 21st President of the United States, who assumed office after the assassination of James A. Garfield in 1881. Despite initially being viewed as a compromise candidate, Arthur proved to be an effective leader and advocate for civil service reform during his tenure.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Chester, a moniker with deep roots in ancient Roman culture and a rich legacy spanning centuries across various fields 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 Chester was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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