Find out how popular the first name Covington has been for the last 7 years (from 2017 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Covington by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Covington is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 52% of people named Covington being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Covington.

It's also interesting to see that despite Covington being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Covington.

The history of the first name Covington

The name Covington is an English surname that has been adapted as a masculine given name. It originates from the Old English words "cofa" meaning a small house or chamber, and "tun" meaning an enclosure or settlement. Thus, the name Covington likely referred to someone who lived in a small house or cottage within an enclosed settlement or town.

The earliest known record of the name Covington dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as the name of a village in Huntingdonshire, England. This suggests that the name was already in use as a place name by the 11th century.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Covington remained primarily a place name and surname, with few recorded instances of its use as a given name. It wasn't until the 17th century that the name began to gain popularity as a first name, particularly among English Puritans who favored surnames as given names.

One of the earliest known individuals with the first name Covington was Covington Fairfax (1617-1662), an English Puritan minister and author who served as the rector of Putney Parish in London. Another notable figure was Covington Whittingham (1638-1701), an English clergyman and educator who served as the headmaster of Christ's Hospital in London.

In the 18th century, the name Covington gained further recognition with the birth of Covington Brownrigg (1725-1808), a British military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War. He is known for his role in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and later became the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man.

Moving into the 19th century, Covington Whiting (1810-1888) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts. He was also a prominent abolitionist and supporter of the Union cause during the American Civil War.

Another notable figure with the name Covington was Covington Hall (1865-1941), an American politician and businessman who served as the Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, from 1909 to 1911. He played a significant role in the development and growth of the city during his tenure.

While the name Covington has been more commonly used as a surname throughout history, its use as a given name has persisted, particularly in English-speaking countries. Though not as widespread as some other names, it continues to be used as a distinctive and historically significant first name.

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

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

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