Jordan Overview
- Meaning: “flowing down” or “descend”
- Gender: The name Jordan is mostly a man’s name, but is unisex.
- Origin: The name is of Hebrew origin.
- Pronunciation: The name is most commonly pronounced, “JOR-dehn.”
- Popularity: Jordan is very popular and ranked 82 for boys in 2020.
- Nicknames: Dan, Dani, Jo, Jojo, Jordi, Jordy, Jory
- Variations: Giordano, Iordan, Jorda, Jordaan, Jordana, Jordanes, Jordain, Jordan, Yarden, Yordan
- Namesakes: Jordan Peele (American comedian); Jordin Sparks (American singer); Jordan Henderson (British Footballer).
What Does Jordan Mean?
Jordan is a Hebrew name that means “flowing down” or “descend.” It’s also the name of a significant river mentioned in the Bible. So, it’s also a name that is often chosen for its religious meaning and symbolism.
What Is the Origin of the Name Jordan?
You can often find mentions of the name Jordan that trace back to ancient history. Both Jewish and Christian religious texts refer to this name.
The ancient Israelites crossed the Jordan River on their journey toward the Promised Land.
A rarer origin of Jordan stems from German roots. In this context, the name Jordan connects to the name Jordanes. He is a famous gothic historian known for his work and documentation of Germanic tribes (1).
How Popular Is the Name Jordan?
Jordan has been a consistently popular male name in the United States for many years. According to the Social Security Administration, this name was always in the top 100 most popular boys’ names from 2000 to 2020 (2). In 2020, Jordan was the 82nd most popular boys’ name in the US.
As a girls’ name, Jordan didn’t sustain as much popularity. It was amongst the top 100 most popular girls’ names in the US from 2000 to 2006. The name slowly lost popularity with each year.
How Do I Pronounce Jordan?
Jordan is pronounced “JOR-dehn” with the emphasis being on the first syllable. There aren’t any other common variations in pronunciation when people speak the name in American English.
Is Jordan a Boy or Girl Name?
Jordan is a unisex name, but it’s more common for a boy to receive this name. Girls often get this name with other spellings, such as Jordin or Jordyn.
Variations of Jordan
There are many variations of Jordan. The most popular spelling variations of this name are Jordin, Jorden, and Jordyn. Jordan also has versions in other languages including the following:
- Giordano (Italian)
- Iordan (Bulgarian)
- Jorda (Catalan)
- Jordaan (Dutch)
- Jordana (English, Macedonian, Serbian)
- Jordanes (German)
- Jourdain (French)
- Jordon (English)
- Yarden (Hebrew)
- Yordan (Bulgarian)
Nicknames for Jordan
While Jordan is a relatively short name, you can still come up with some fun and cute nicknames. Here are a few examples:
- Dan
- Dani
- Jo
- Jojo
- Jordi
- Jordy
- Jory
Similar Names to Jordan
If you like the name Jordan, there are other names that sound or appear similar. Consider looking into the following names:
- Aaron
- Auron
- Corbin
- Dylan
- Edan
- Gordon
- Jared
- Jayden
- Jaylen
- Joel
- Robin
Middle Names for Jordan
Finding a middle name that pairs well with Jordan is also an important part of the naming process. Here are some names that either match Jordan’s meaning and origins or sound nice phonetically:
- Aldrich
- Alford
- Avon
- Christopher
- Douglas
- Everett
- Halsey
- Irving
- Ren
- Wade
Sibling Names for Jordan
Pairing names with siblings can be fun and also add more significance to their names. Here are some fun names you can give to siblings.
For a brother:
- Adrian
- Beckett
- Ezra
- Forrest
- Jacob
- John
- Joseph
- Joshua
- Kai
- Moses
For a sister:
- Brooke
- Ginevra
- Ivy
- Josephine
- Jenna
- Marina
- Miriam
- Shannon
- Talia
- Willow
Famous People Named Jordan
There are plenty of famous individuals that bear the name Jordan. Here are a few of our favorites, including two with the surname of Jordan:
- Michael Jordan: Decorated NBA player most noted for his seasons with the Chicago Bulls.
- Michael B. Jordan: American actor and film producer.
- Jordan Fisher: Actor, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter.
- Jordan Henderson: English soccer player and captain of the Premier League Club Liverpool.
- Jordan Ladd: American actress.
- Jordan Klepper: American comedian and “The Daily Show” correspondent.
- Jordan Peele: Award-winning American actor, director, and filmmaker.
- Jordan Peterson: Canadian clinical psychologist and author.
- Jordin Sparks: American actress and singer-songwriter who rose to fame after winning the sixth season of “American Idol.”
Jordan in Popular Culture
You can also find fictional characters named Jordan in many beloved books, films, and other areas of pop culture. Here are just a few:
- Hal Jordan: DC Comics superhero the “Green Lantern.”
- Jordan: Character in Pixar film “Inside Out.”
- Jordan Baker: Character in the book “The Great Gatsby.”
- Jordan Black: Character in the television series “Millennium.”
- Jordan Catalano: Character in the television series “My So-Called Life.”
- Jordan Chase: Character from the television series “Dexter.”
- Jordan Elliot: Character in the novel “Beach Music.”
- Jordan Parrish: Charter in the television series “Teen Wolf.”
- Jordan Sullivan: Character in the television series “Scrubs.”
- Lee Jordan: Character in the “Harry Potter” franchise.
Jordan FAQs
If you’re still curious about Jordan, here are some answers to some frequently asked questions that you might share with others.
What Does Jordan Symbolize in the Bible?
The Jordan River was an obstacle that was in the way between the Israelites and their Promise Land. So, it has symbolism of freedom from oppression, breakthrough, and deliverance. In Judaism, the lord Adonai performed a miracle where he parted the river so that they could pass through safely.
In Christian tradition, Jordan also symbolizes spiritual rebirth through baptism (3).
Is Jordan a Last Name?
Yes, Jordan is also a fairly common surname. Many Christians adopted the name Jordan at the time of the Crusades.
There’s an Irish clan bearing Jordan as a surname, and the ancestry runs as far back as the 1170s. Many families of English and Wales descent can find a common ancestor tracing back to Sir William Deardon and Jordan de Cantington, respectively.
Is Jordan a Positive Name?
Yes, Jordan is a good name. It has a positive meaning and religious significance. It was often used to commemorate a turning point or spiritual awakening in people’s lives. There’s an overall positive view of this name, and it has remained popular for decades.
