Find out how popular the first name Saunders has been for the last 38 years (from 1981 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Saunders by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Saunders is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Saunders.

The history of the first name Saunders

The given name Saunders is derived from the Late Latin name 'Saunders', which itself comes from the name 'Alexander'. Alexander was a name popularized by Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king who conquered vast swaths of territory in the 4th century BC. The name means 'defender of men' in Greek.

In the Middle Ages, the name Alexander became associated with the legends of Alexander the Great. It underwent various spelling transformations in different languages, including the Old French 'Sandras' and 'Sanders'. These forms eventually led to the English name Saunders.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Saunders was Sir Saunders Duncombe, an English politician and diplomat who lived from 1625 to 1711. Another notable bearer of the name was Saunders Lewis, a Welsh poet, novelist, and prominent figure in the Welsh nationalist movement, who lived from 1893 to 1985.

In the realm of religion, Saunders Loring was an early Puritan settler in Massachusetts Bay Colony, arriving in 1635. He played a role in the founding of several towns and served as a deacon in the church.

The world of art and literature also saw notable figures named Saunders. Saunders Fairford was an English painter and engraver active in the late 18th century, known for his portraiture and historical works. Saunders McLean was a Scottish author and journalist who lived from 1857 to 1926, publishing several novels and short stories.

In more recent times, Saunders Terrell was an American jazz musician and composer, born in 1918, who played with some of the greats of the swing era, including Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.

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

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

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