The first name Norman
A boy’s name.
Pronounced /ˈnɔɹmən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
From Middle English Norman, from Old English Norman (a variant of Norþman) and Old French Normant. It is certain that the word is derived from the base of the Germanic words for north and the Germanic base of the words for man. However, given the frequent movement of Germanic groups especially into and out of Britain in the post-classical world, it is unclear in what tongue it came to be used first. In addition, the generally accepted meaning, a person from Normandy or one of the many French-speaking invaders to Britain, was used chiefly by Anglo-Norman and Old French, though it originally referred to any Scandinavian of the time. See also Northman.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 8 boys were named Norman, making it the 2,664th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2015, with 16 births (#1,511).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Norman with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Norman at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 169 boys born in the United States were named Norman, the 1,200th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1928, when 5,590 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Norman in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Norman
187 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Norman MailerAmerican writer (1923–2007)
- Norman BorlaugAmerican biologist (1914–2009)
- Norman FosterBritish architect (born 1935)
- Norman Foster RamseyAmerican physicist (1915–2011)
- Cyril Norman HinshelwoodEnglish physical chemist (1897-1967)
- Norman AngellEnglish politician (1872–1967)
- Norman HaworthBritish chemist (1883-1950)
- Norman ReedusAmerican actor (born 1969)
- Norman RockwellAmerican painter and illustrator (1894–1978)
- Norman JewisonCanadian film director, producer and actor (1926–2024)
- Norman LockyerEnglish scientist and astronomer (1836–1920)
- Norman TaurogAmerican film director (1899–1981)
Questions
- What does the name Norman mean?
- From Middle English Norman, from Old English Norman (a variant of Norþman) and Old French Normant. It is certain that the word is derived from the base of the Germanic words for north and the Germanic base of the words for man. However, given the frequent movement of Germanic…
- How popular is the name Norman?
- In 2025, 8 boys born in England and Wales were named Norman, ranking 2,664th. Its peak was 2015, with 16 births.
- What are nicknames for Norman?
- Common nicknames for Norman include Norm, Normie.
- Is Norman a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 254,762 US babies named Norman since 1880 were boys.
- When was Norman most popular?
- 1928 in the United States, when 5,590 babies were named Norman, its highest rank at 39th.
- How do you pronounce Norman?
- Norman is /ˈnɔɹmən/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Norman?
- Norrie.
- Is Norman also a surname?
- Yes. Norman is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.