Find out how popular the first name Lam has been for the last 46 years (from 1977 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lam by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Lam is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 88% of people named Lam being male.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Lam.

The history of the first name Lam

The given name Lam has its origins in the ancient Semitic languages of the Middle East. Derived from the root word lmd, meaning "to study" or "to learn," the name Lam has been associated with knowledge, wisdom, and scholarship throughout history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lam can be found in the biblical Book of Genesis, where Lam is mentioned as the son of Bethuel and the grandson of Nahor, Abraham's brother. This reference places the name's usage in the region of Mesopotamia during the second millennium BCE.

In ancient Sumerian texts, the name Lam-azida is recorded as a title for a high-ranking official or priest, further reinforcing the name's connection to learning and wisdom. The Sumerian civilization, which flourished in the region of modern-day Iraq, dates back to the 4th millennium BCE.

During the medieval period, the name Lam gained popularity among Arab scholars and intellectuals. One notable figure bearing this name was Lam ibn Yahya al-Qurashi, a renowned 9th-century philosopher and mathematician from Baghdad. His contributions to the fields of logic and metaphysics were influential during the Islamic Golden Age.

In the 12th century, Lam ibn al-Qadi al-Baghdadi was a prominent Islamic jurist and theologian from Baghdad. His extensive writings on Islamic jurisprudence and theology made him a respected authority in the region.

Crossing into the Asian continent, the name Lam has also been recorded in ancient Chinese texts. One notable figure was Lam Qua, a 19th-century Chinese painter and poet who gained recognition for his intricate and detailed artworks depicting scenes from Chinese culture and history.

Moving into the modern era, the name Lam has been borne by several notable individuals, such as Lam Qua, a 19th-century Chinese painter and poet renowned for his intricate artworks depicting scenes from Chinese culture and history. Another notable bearer of the name was Lam Qing-yu, a 20th-century Hong Kong film director and screenwriter who made significant contributions to the local cinema industry.

Lam has been a name carried by individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, each leaving their mark on history through their achievements and contributions in various fields, from religion and philosophy to art and literature.

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

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

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