Find out how popular the first name Swift has been for the last 11 years (from 2011 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Swift by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Swift is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Swift.

The history of the first name Swift

The name Swift has its origins in the Old English word "swifan", meaning "to move quickly or rapidly". This name first appeared in the Anglo-Saxon territories of England during the 7th and 8th centuries AD, and was likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was particularly agile or swift-moving.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Swift can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry lists a landowner named "Swiften" in the county of Hertfordshire. This suggests that the name had already been in use for some time prior to the Norman Conquest.

In the Middle Ages, the name Swift was relatively uncommon but still in use across various parts of England. One notable bearer of the name was Jonathan Swift, the renowned Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, and poet who lived from 1667 to 1745. His biting satires, such as "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal", earned him widespread recognition and a place in the canon of English literature.

Another famous Swift was Lewis Swift, an American astronomer born in 1820 who discovered several comets and asteroids during his lifetime. His contributions to the field of astronomy were significant, and he is remembered for his dedication to celestial observation.

In the 19th century, the name Swift gained popularity in the United States, particularly among families of English descent. One notable American bearer of the name was Gustavus Franklin Swift, born in 1839, who founded the meat-packing company that would become Swift & Company, one of the largest meatpacking firms in the world at the time.

While not as common as some other English names, Swift has maintained a consistent presence throughout history, often associated with qualities of swiftness, agility, and quickness. Other notable individuals who have borne the name include Taylor Swift, the American singer-songwriter born in 1989, and Jonathan Swift, an English clergyman and satirist who lived from 1667 to 1745, best known for his works "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal".

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

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

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