Talbot
Primarily a boy's name of Germanic origin with 450 recorded births. Also given to 11 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An English surname thought to be of Norman (Germanic) origin.
Talbot is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a Norman surname possibly meaning 'messenger of destruction' from Old German elements, or possibly from a Frankish personal name. It became established in England after the Norman Conquest.
Talbot has an aristocratic, hunting-country character — the kind of name found on English country estates, associated with foxhounds and fine breeding. As a given name, it carries understated distinction that feels both ancient and quietly modern.
EtymologyShow more
Though Talbot dates back to 1913 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 Germanic classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 450 recorded births, Talbot has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Talbot has 64+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | #11853 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 12 | #12283 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 42 | #11681 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 52 | #7829 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 25 | #6610 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 42 | #4724 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 76 | #3299 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 30 | #3397 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 61 | #3388 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 16 | #3435 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 44 | #3687 | — |
| 1910s | 44 | #3637 | — |
The Story of Talbot
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1969, Talbot is a Gen X staple. Boys named Talbot are most likely born between 1959 and 1979.
How rare is Talbot?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Talbot is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 76 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Talbot by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Talbot per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(64 years, 1913–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | #11853 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10594 |
| 2012 | 5 | #13971 |
| 2008 | 5 | #14352 |
| 2007 | 7 | #10757 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11889 |
| 2005 | 5 | #13122 |
| 2004 | 8 | #8820 |
| 2003 | 6 | #10717 |
| 2001 | 5 | #12110 |
| 1999 | 9 | #7047 |
| 1998 | 7 | #8352 |
| 1997 | 10 | #6031 |
| 1996 | 8 | #7044 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6905 |
| 1994 | 5 | #10079 |
| 1990 | 5 | #9343 |
| 1989 | 9 | #5545 |
| 1985 | 6 | #6439 |
| 1984 | 5 | #7206 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Talbot as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Talbot has also been given to 11 girls in the U.S. since 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Talbot a boy's or girl's name?
When was Talbot most popular?
How popular is the name Talbot?
Can Talbot be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–2020