Find out how popular the first name Deor has been for the last 4 years (from 2020 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Deor by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Deor is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 71% of people named Deor being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Deor.

The history of the first name Deor

The name Deor has its origins in Old English, derived from the word "deor," meaning "deer" or "animal." It was a common name among the Anglo-Saxons, particularly in the regions of present-day England and parts of northern Europe. The name's earliest recorded use dates back to the 7th century AD, when it appeared in various Anglo-Saxon manuscripts and chronicles.

One of the earliest known references to the name Deor comes from the Exeter Book, a 10th-century anthology of Anglo-Saxon poetry. The book contains a poem titled "Deor's Lament," which is attributed to a poet or scop named Deor. This poem provides insight into the cultural significance and literary use of the name during that time period.

In the realm of historical figures, one notable individual named Deor was a medieval English abbot who lived in the late 7th century. He served as the abbot of Rochester Cathedral Priory and is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an important historical record of the time.

Another prominent figure with the name Deor was Deor the Scribe, a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon monk and scribe who is credited with producing several significant manuscripts, including the Leofric Missal, which is now housed in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford.

In the later medieval period, a notable individual named Deor was Deor of Cirencester, a 12th-century English monk and chronicler. He is known for his work titled "The Acts of the Abbots of Cirencester," which provides valuable insights into the history of the Benedictine abbey in Cirencester.

Additionally, there was a 13th-century English nobleman named Deor de Mohun, who served as a baron and held lands in Somerset and Dorset. He played a role in the baronial wars against King John and is mentioned in various historical records from that period.

Throughout history, the name Deor has been relatively uncommon, but it has maintained a presence in various cultures and literary works, reflecting its ancient Anglo-Saxon roots and association with nature and animals.

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

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

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