Find out how popular the first name Gadsden has been for the last 10 years (from 2013 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gadsden by gender

Based on the last 10 years of data, Gadsden is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gadsden.

The history of the first name Gadsden

The name Gadsden is believed to have its origins in the Old English language, with roots that can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era. The name is thought to be derived from the combination of two Old English words: "gad," meaning "goad" or "spike," and "denu," meaning "valley" or "hollow."

In its earliest recorded instances, the name was often spelled as "Gaddesden" or variations thereof. This lends credence to the theory that the name may have originally referred to a particular geographic location – perhaps a valley or hollow where goads or spikes were commonly used or produced.

One of the earliest known references to the name Gadsden can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions a place called "Gaddesden" in Hertfordshire, which may have been the origin of the surname.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Gadsden appeared sporadically in various historical records, primarily in England and the surrounding regions. However, it was not until the 16th and 17th centuries that the name began to gain more widespread recognition.

One notable individual bearing the name Gadsden was Christopher Gadsden, an American patriot and politician who lived from 1724 to 1805. He is best known for designing the iconic Gadsden Flag, which features a coiled rattlesnake and the famous words "Don't Tread on Me." This flag became a symbol of the American Revolution and is still widely recognized today.

Another prominent figure with the name Gadsden was James Gadsden, an American diplomat and businessman who lived from 1788 to 1858. He is remembered for negotiating the Gadsden Purchase, a land acquisition from Mexico that added significant territory to the southwestern United States.

In the field of literature, one noteworthy individual was the English author and clergyman James Townsend Gadsden, who lived from 1801 to 1856. He was a prolific writer and published several works, including novels, biographies, and religious texts.

Moving into the 20th century, Gadsden Ellison was an American football player and coach who lived from 1892 to 1951. He played college football at the University of Georgia and later served as the head coach for several teams, including the University of Miami.

Finally, a more recent figure with the name Gadsden is the American actress Gadsden Garner, who was born in 1980. She has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including roles in "The Sopranos" and "The Longest Yard."

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!