Find out how popular the first name Stokes has been for the last 22 years (from 2002 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Stokes by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Stokes is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Stokes.

The history of the first name Stokes

The given name Stokes is an English name derived from the Old English word "stoc," meaning "a stem" or "a tree trunk." It is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for a person who lived near or worked with tree stumps or logs.

The earliest recorded use of Stokes as a first name dates back to the 13th century in England. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Sir John Stokes, an English knight who lived during the reign of King Edward III (1312-1377).

In the 16th century, Stokes became a more common first name, particularly among the English gentry and nobility. One notable figure with this name was Sir Gabriel Stokes (1528-1608), an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Stokes gained popularity among the English aristocracy and upper classes. One famous bearer of this name was Sir George Stokes (1719-1789), a British mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the study of fluid mechanics.

In the 19th century, the name Stokes continued to be used by prominent individuals in various fields. George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903) was an Irish mathematician and physicist who made important discoveries in the field of fluid dynamics and optics.

Another notable figure with the name Stokes was Sir Frederick Stokes (1846-1927), a British-American publisher and book collector who founded the publishing house Frederick A. Stokes Company in New York City.

In the 20th century, the name Stokes was carried on by individuals such as Carl Stokes (1927-1996), an American politician who became the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city when he was elected mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1967.

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

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

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