Culver first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Culver has been for the last 28 years (from 1996 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Culver

English name from an Old English term meaning "coloured embankment or ridge."

Popularity of Culver by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Culver is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Culver.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 5 0
2022 5 0
2020 5 0
2019 7 0
2018 10 0
2013 5 0
1996 5 0

The history of the first name Culver

The name Culver is an English name with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "culfre," which means "dove" or "pigeon." This association with a bird may have been inspired by the gentle and peaceful nature of these creatures.

In its earliest forms, the name was often spelled as "Culver" or "Culvere." It was a common surname in medieval England, particularly in regions such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where there were settlements named Culver or Culverthorpe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Culver can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named "Culvert" in the county of Lincolnshire.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Culver. One of the earliest was Culvert de Insula (fl. 1150), a Norman nobleman and landowner in England during the 12th century.

In the realm of literature, Culver is remembered as the name of a character in the 14th-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." The character, a young and valiant knight, plays a significant role in the Arthurian legend.

Another historical figure of note was Culver Heywood (1493-1556), an English Catholic martyr who was executed during the reign of Queen Mary I for his religious beliefs.

In the 18th century, Culver Baker (1719-1786) was a prominent American silversmith and engraver who worked in Philadelphia and is known for his intricate and finely crafted pieces.

Culver Military Academy, founded in 1894 in Culver, Indiana, was named after Henry Harrison Culver (1841-1919), a prominent businessman and philanthropist who played a key role in the establishment of the institution.

While the name Culver is not as commonly used today as it once was, it has left an indelible mark on history, spanning various fields and cultures, reflecting its ancient roots and enduring legacy.

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

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

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"Culver first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 20, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/culver-meaning-and-history/.

"Culver first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/culver-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 20 June, 2025

Culver first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/culver-meaning-and-history/.

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