Find out how popular the first name Saxon has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Saxon by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Saxon is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 92% of people named Saxon being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 35 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Saxon.

The history of the first name Saxon

The name Saxon has its origins in the Old English language and refers to the Germanic tribes that migrated from continental Europe to Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries. These tribes were known as the Saxons, and the name likely derives from the Old English "Seaxe," meaning "people of the knife" or "wielders of the short sword."

The Saxons were one of the most influential groups that settled in Britain after the withdrawal of Roman forces, and their influence can be seen in various aspects of English culture and language. The name Saxon was likely used as a personal name to denote one's ancestry or connection to the Saxon tribes.

One of the earliest known references to the name Saxon can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals that recorded important events in England from the 9th century onwards. The Chronicle mentions several individuals with the name Saxon, although it is difficult to determine if these were actual personal names or simply references to the Saxon people.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Saxon. One of the earliest was Saxon the Grammarian, a 9th-century English scholar who wrote extensively on the rules and structure of the Old English language. Another notable figure was Saxon of Bayeux, a Norman nobleman who fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

In the 12th century, there was a Saxon of Hexham, a Benedictine monk and chronicler who wrote about the history of the church in Hexham, Northumberland. A century later, there was a Saxon of Cambridge, a scholar and theologian who taught at the University of Cambridge in the early 13th century.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Saxon was Sacheverell Saxon, an English lawyer and politician who served as a member of Parliament in the late 17th century. He was a prominent figure during the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and played a significant role in the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in England.

Despite its historical significance, the name Saxon is relatively rare in modern times, perhaps due to its association with the Anglo-Saxon period and the eventual integration of the Saxon tribes into the broader English culture. However, it serves as a testament to the enduring influence of the Saxon heritage on the English language and society.

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

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

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