Lafon
Primarily a girl's name of French origin with 10 recorded births. Also given to 9 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Lafon is a vintage name that peaked in early twentieth-century America and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The solid, balanced quality of its ending — a versatile ending found across many naming traditions — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Lafon is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Lafon is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, derived from a French surname meaning 'the fountain' or 'the spring,' from la fontaine. As a given name it is exceptionally rare in the United States, appearing in small numbers for both boys and girls.
The name carries a quiet, old-world elegance — evocative of cool water and French countryside — making it a distinctive choice for families with French heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Though Lafon dates back to 1920 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The French classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 10 recorded births, Lafon has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lafon has 2+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1920.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 | #4563 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | #5370 | — |
The Story of Lafon
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Lafon is a name steeped in history. Girls named Lafon are most likely born between 1920 and 1930.
How rare is Lafon?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Lafon is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, peaked in the 1920s with 5 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(2 years, 1920–1935)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 5 | #4563 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5370 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Lafon as a Boy's Name
Lafon is a true unisex name. As a boy's name, it has 9 recorded births since 1926.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafon a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lafon most popular?
How popular is the name Lafon?
Can Lafon be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–1935