Traverse
A name derived from the verb meaning to journey across or pass over.
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Traverse. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Traverse today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Traverse births was 1922 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Traverse. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Traverse. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1922
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1922 SSA rank
#4,899
Tracked since 1922
Popularity
Traverse: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Traverse by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Traverse during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Traverse
The name Traverse originated from the Old French word "traverser," which means "to cross" or "to pass through." This name has its roots in the late medieval period, around the 12th to 13th centuries, when it was commonly used in parts of modern-day France and other regions where the French language was spoken.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Traverse can be found in the chronicles of the Crusades, where it was used to refer to a knight who traversed treacherous terrain to reach the Holy Land. The name gained popularity during this time as a symbol of bravery and determination.
In the 14th century, the name Traverse was mentioned in a series of French poems and ballads, often associated with themes of adventure and exploration. These literary works helped to solidify the name's connotations of courage and journeying.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Traverse. One of the earliest was Traverse de Villers (1220-1285), a French nobleman and crusader who participated in the Seventh Crusade led by King Louis IX.
Another prominent figure was Traverse de Beaumont (1345-1412), a French explorer and navigator who was among the first Europeans to explore the coast of West Africa. His name became synonymous with the spirit of discovery and the expansion of geographical knowledge.
In the 16th century, Traverse de Montfort (1510-1570) was a renowned French military strategist and tactician who played a crucial role in the French Wars of Religion. His strategic skills in traversing difficult terrains and outmaneuvering opponents earned him widespread recognition.
During the 17th century, Traverse de La Salle (1643-1687) was a French explorer and fur trader who traversed the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi River, laying claim to vast territories for France in North America.
In more recent times, Traverse Gérard (1914-2004) was a French resistance fighter during World War II, renowned for his daring exploits in traversing enemy lines and aiding Allied forces in their operations.
These historical figures exemplify the spirit of adventure, courage, and determination that the name Traverse has come to represent over the centuries, reflecting a desire to explore, conquer, and overcome obstacles through perseverance and resilience.
People
Traverse + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Traverse as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Traverse: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Traverse?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Traverse going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Traverse a common name?
We classify Traverse as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Traverse most popular?
The single biggest year for Traverse was 1922, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Traverse is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Traverse in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Traverse a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Traverse in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Traverse still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Traverse in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Traverse can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Traverse?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.