Find out how popular the first name Junior has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Junior by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Junior is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Junior being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 356 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Junior.

The history of the first name Junior

The name Junior is derived from the Latin word "iunior," which means "younger" or "lesser." It was initially used as an epithet or suffix to distinguish between people of the same name, typically father and son. The earliest recorded use of the name Junior dates back to ancient Rome, where it was common practice to add "iunior" to a person's name to indicate their youth or subordinate status.

In the Middle Ages, the name Junior became more prevalent in European societies, particularly among nobility and aristocratic families. It was often used to differentiate between members of the same family who shared the same given name. For instance, if a father and son both had the name John, the son would be referred to as John Junior to avoid confusion.

During the Renaissance, the use of Junior as a given name gained popularity, especially among wealthy and influential families. One of the earliest recorded examples of Junior as a first name is Juan Ponce de León Junior, born in 1520, the son of the famous Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Junior. One prominent example is Junior Seau, an American professional football player who played for the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins. He was born in 1969 and tragically passed away in 2012.

Another famous Junior is Junior Walker, an American singer, and saxophonist who was a major figure in the American soul and R&B scene. He was born in 1931 and passed away in 1995.

In the literary world, Junior Delgado is a notable Puerto Rican writer and poet. He was born in 1948 and is known for his works exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage.

Junior Sample, a former professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers, was born in 1958 and played in the Major League Baseball from 1983 to 1990.

Lastly, Junior Brown, an American country music singer-songwriter and guitarist, was born in 1952 and is renowned for his unique blend of country, blues, and rock music styles.

While the name Junior originated as a way to distinguish between individuals with the same name, it has evolved over time to become a standalone given name, transcending its initial purpose as a suffix or epithet.

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

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

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