Find out how popular the first name Decatur has been for the last 12 years (from 2006 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Decatur by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Decatur is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Decatur.

The history of the first name Decatur

The name Decatur has its origins in the French language, deriving from the Old French phrase "de Catur" or "de Catur-co," which translates to "from Catur." This phrase likely referred to a town or settlement in medieval France, though its exact location is uncertain. The name's earliest recorded use dates back to the 12th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name Decatur was primarily used by French nobility and aristocracy, often as a surname or territorial designation. It is documented in various historical records and texts from that period, though there are few notable figures specifically associated with the first name Decatur.

The earliest known individual with the first name Decatur was Decatur de Montfort, a French knight who lived in the late 12th century. He participated in the Third Crusade and is mentioned in accounts of the siege of Acre in 1191.

Another notable figure was Decatur de Villiers, a French explorer and navigator who accompanied Jacques Cartier on his voyages to North America in the 16th century. De Villiers played a significant role in the exploration and mapping of the St. Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In the 17th century, Decatur de La Barre served as the Governor-General of New France (present-day Canada) from 1682 to 1685. His tenure was marked by conflicts with the Iroquois Confederacy and disputes with the French colonial authorities.

During the American Revolutionary War, Stephen Decatur Sr. (1751-1808) was a prominent naval officer and shipbuilder who served in the Continental Navy. His son, Stephen Decatur Jr. (1779-1820), became one of the most celebrated naval heroes of the United States, known for his daring exploits during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812.

In the 19th century, Decatur Moore (1835-1900) was a prominent American educator and author who served as the president of several colleges, including Barnes University and Hendrix College in Arkansas.

While the name Decatur has French origins, it has been adopted and used in various cultures and contexts throughout history, particularly in the United States, where it has been given as both a first and last 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 Decatur was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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