Gulliver first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Gulliver has been for the last 1 years (from 2021 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Gulliver

One who admires or studies gulls, a type of seabird.

Popularity of Gulliver by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Gulliver is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gulliver.

Year Male Count Female Count
2021 5 0

The history of the first name Gulliver

The given name Gulliver originated from the satirical novel "Gulliver's Travels" published in 1726 by the Anglo-Irish writer and clergyman Jonathan Swift. The name itself is not derived from any particular language or culture, but rather was invented by Swift as the name of the protagonist, Lemuel Gulliver, in his famous work.

The character of Gulliver is a fictional Englishman who travels to various fantastical lands inhabited by strange and fanciful beings. The novel is a biting satire that critiques human nature, society, and the political and social climate of Swift's time. Through Gulliver's adventures, Swift exposes the follies and vices of mankind, making the book a classic of English literature.

While the name Gulliver was not recorded prior to Swift's novel, it quickly gained popularity and recognition due to the immense success of "Gulliver's Travels." Some notable individuals who have borne the name Gulliver include:

  1. Gulliver McGrath (born 1945), an American actor and playwright.
  2. Gulliver Drayton (1609-1668), an English Puritan minister and early settler of New Haven Colony.
  3. Gulliver Curry (born 1993), an Australian professional basketball player.
  4. Gulliver Rop (born 1986), a Kenyan long-distance runner and Olympic medalist.
  5. Gulliver Belshaw (born 1989), an English singer-songwriter and musician.

The name Gulliver, though fictional in origin, has become a part of the cultural lexicon, often evoking associations with travel, adventure, and the exploration of new worlds. Its connection to Swift's timeless satire has ensured its enduring place in the annals of literary history and its continued use as a given 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 Gulliver was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Gulliver first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 11, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/gulliver-meaning-and-history/.

"Gulliver first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/gulliver-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 11 May, 2025

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

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