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

Popularity of Washington by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Washington is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Washington.

The history of the first name Washington

The name Washington is a unique given name with an intriguing history. It is believed to have originated as a surname derived from the Old English words "Wasse" and "ing" combined with the word "tun," meaning "settlement" or "town." This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived in a settlement owned by a person named Wasse or Wasing.

In terms of historical references, the earliest recorded instances of the name Washington can be traced back to the 11th century. It appears in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is mentioned in connection with various locations, such as "Wassingtone" in Norfolk and "Wassingburn" in Yorkshire.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Washington was William de Wassyngton, who was a member of the gentry in Westmorland, England, in the late 13th century. Another early bearer of the name was Lawrence Washington, who was the Mayor of Northampton in 1532.

Perhaps the most famous person with the given name Washington was George Washington (1732-1799), the first President of the United States and a renowned military leader during the American Revolutionary War. His name has become synonymous with American history and the founding of the nation.

Other notable figures throughout history with the given name Washington include Washington Irving (1783-1859), an American author known for works such as "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle," and Washington Allston (1779-1843), an American painter and pioneer of the Romantic tradition in the United States.

In the 19th century, Washington Tanner (1835-1888) was a prominent African American educator and minister who played a significant role in establishing schools for freed slaves after the American Civil War. Washington Augustus Roebling (1837-1926) was a notable American civil engineer who contributed to the construction of several major bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge.

The name Washington has a rich historical heritage and has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, from politics and literature to art and engineering. Its origins can be traced back to medieval England, and it has since become a part of the cultural fabric of the United States, particularly due to its association with the nation's first president.

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

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

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