Ladon
Primarily a boy's name of Greek origin with 1,254 recorded births. Also given to 323 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A serpent-like dragon that twined around the tree in the Garden of the Hesperides and guarded the golden apples.
Ladon is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin, from the Greek Ladon, a river in Arcadia and the name of the dragon who guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides, meaning 'the one who guards' or connected to an ancient pre-Greek river name.
With over 1,250 recorded births, Ladon is a mythological name from the ancient Greek tradition — Ladon was the serpentine dragon coiled around the apple tree in the garden at the western edge of the world, one of the last guardians Heracles had to overcome in his Eleventh Labor. The name carries the primordial strength of the serpent-guardian, the force that protects what is most precious and sacred.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Ladon is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1930–2024). Its Greek roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Ladon is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #6652), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ladon was #5146 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #6652, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 52 | #7984 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 158 | #6044 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 132 | #6234 | — |
| 1990s | 142 | #4653 | — |
| 1980s | 151 | #3421 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 206 | #2215 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 162 | #2084 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 112 | #2372 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 79 | #2577 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 60 | #3343 | — |
The Story of Ladon
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2012, Ladon is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Ladon are most likely born between 2002 and 2022.
How rare is Ladon?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Ladon — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1930, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 206 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Ladon by the numbers
- Would fill 26 school buses
- Meeting one Ladon per day would take 3.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(90 years, 1930–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6652 |
| 2023 | 10 | #8025 |
| 2022 | 12 | #7062 |
| 2021 | 7 | #10337 |
| 2020 | 10 | #7844 |
| 2019 | 17 | #5469 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6549 |
| 2017 | 12 | #6933 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5941 |
| 2015 | 12 | #6911 |
| 2014 | 10 | #7897 |
| 2013 | 11 | #7344 |
| 2012 | 29 | #3673 |
| 2011 | 18 | #5105 |
| 2010 | 21 | #4620 |
| 2009 | 10 | #8048 |
| 2008 | 10 | #8049 |
| 2007 | 10 | #7934 |
| 2006 | 19 | #4791 |
| 2005 | 16 | #5175 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Ladon as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Ladon has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 323 births since 1933.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ladon a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ladon most popular?
How popular is the name Ladon?
Can Ladon be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1930–2024