Thurmond
A boy's name of Old English origin with 1,002 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Thurmond is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, derived from the Old English elements þunor (thunder) and mund (protection), meaning 'thunder protection.' It is related to the Norse name Thormund.
Most associated in modern memory with U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, Thurmond was used as a given name particularly in the American South through the 19th and early 20th centuries, where it carried an air of distinguished, old-family gravitas.
EtymologyShow more
Thurmond is built from 8 letters and two syllables — a longer structure that creates presence and allows for natural nickname formation. Within the Old English naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Thurmond creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Thurmond has 80+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1909.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | #13992 | — |
| 2000s | 5 | #11973 | — |
| 1990s | 5 | #9368 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 59 | #6311 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 73 | #4423 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 109 | #2822 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 188 | #2023 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 185 | #1786 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 145 | #2004 | — |
| 1920s | 146 | #2329 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 77 | #2632 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 5 | #1661 | — |
The Story of Thurmond
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1948, Thurmond is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Thurmond are most likely born between 1938 and 1958.
How rare is Thurmond?
With 1,002 total births on record, Thurmond remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1909, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 188 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Thurmond by the numbers
- Would fill 21 school buses
- Meeting one Thurmond per day would take 2.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(80 years, 1909–2016)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | #13992 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11973 |
| 1990 | 5 | #9368 |
| 1989 | 8 | #6179 |
| 1988 | 6 | #7178 |
| 1987 | 5 | #8037 |
| 1986 | 6 | #6654 |
| 1984 | 8 | #4923 |
| 1983 | 6 | #6151 |
| 1982 | 5 | #7282 |
| 1981 | 8 | #4919 |
| 1980 | 7 | #5472 |
| 1978 | 6 | #5703 |
| 1977 | 7 | #5078 |
| 1976 | 5 | #6420 |
| 1975 | 6 | #5404 |
| 1974 | 10 | #3544 |
| 1973 | 9 | #3670 |
| 1972 | 9 | #3591 |
| 1971 | 11 | #3130 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thurmond a boy's or girl's name?
When was Thurmond most popular?
How popular is the name Thurmond?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1909–2016