Chester first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Chester has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Chester

A masculine given name of Old English origin meaning "legionary camp".

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 2024, there were 102 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Chester.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20241020
2023940
2022940
2021670
2020990
2019910
2018930
2017930
2016760
2015980
2014840
2013780
2012710
2011820
2010740
2009730
2008910
2007810
2006710
2005950
2004890
2003940
2002970
2001810
20001090
19991000
19981170
19971220
19961240
19951450
19941490
19931540
19922030
19912090
19902260
19892280
19882270
19872510
19862200
19852630
19842850
19832925
19823320
19813490
19803480
19793550
19783780
19773930
19763700
19753550

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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