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

Popularity of Sinclair by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sinclair is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 54% of people named Sinclair being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 22 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Sinclair.

It's also interesting to see that despite Sinclair being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Sinclair.

The history of the first name Sinclair

The name Sinclair has its origins in the Old French language, stemming from the words "saint" meaning holy or sacred, and "clair" meaning clear or bright. It likely emerged in the Middle Ages as a descriptive name referring to someone who lived near a place of religious significance or a holy spring.

In the 12th century, the name was first recorded as a surname in Scotland, where it was Anglicized from the Old French "Saint-Clair". This surname was borne by a prominent Scottish noble family who held lands in the region of West Lothian.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the given name Sinclair was Sinclair of Roslin (c. 1180 - 1244), a Scottish nobleman and builder of Roslin Chapel, known for its intricate carvings and architectural marvels.

In the realm of literature, the name Sinclair appears in the 14th-century poetic work "The Kingis Quair" by James I of Scotland, where he refers to a character named "Fair Sinclair".

During the Renaissance period, Sinclair Trimborn (1492 - 1560) was a German humanist scholar and theologian who played a significant role in the Reformation movement.

In the 18th century, Sinclair Lewis (1885 - 1951) was an American novelist and the first writer from the United States to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1930. His notable works include "Main Street", "Babbitt", and "Arrowsmith".

Another prominent figure was Sinclair Beiles (1930 - 2000), a South African writer, academic, and anti-apartheid activist who campaigned for civil rights and racial equality through his literary works and teachings.

Sinclair Ferguson (born 1948) is a Scottish theologian and author, known for his contributions to Reformed theology and his numerous books on Christian doctrine and practice.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse cultural contexts in which the name Sinclair has been used, highlighting its enduring presence across various eras and disciplines.

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

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

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