The story behind Norman
From Middle English Norman, from Old English Norman (a variant of Norþman) and Old French Normant. It is certain that the word is derived from the base of the Germanic words for north and the Germanic base of the words for man. However, given the frequent movement of Germanic groups especially into and out of Britain in the post-classical world, it is unclear in what tongue it came to be used first. In addition, the generally accepted meaning, a person from Normandy or one of the many French-speaking invaders to Britain, was used chiefly by Anglo-Norman and Old French, though it originally referred to any Scandinavian of the time. See also Northman.
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈnɔɹmən/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈnɔːmən/
Popularity
Norman ranked #1200 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Norman
Norton
From Old English norþ (“north”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). The parish in New Brunswick is named after Norton, Massachusetts.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alden
From Old English Ealdwine, from eald (“old”) + wine (“friend”); equivalent to Alwin. In some cases a variant of Haldane.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aldwyn
From Old English Ealdwine (literally “old friend”)
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alton
From Old English ǣwell (“river source”) + tūn (“settlement, town”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alvin
From Old English Ælfwine, made up of ælf (“elf”) + wine (“friend”). Borrowed from English Alvin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alwin
From Old English Æþelwine, from æþel (“noble”) + wine (“friend”); partly merged with Ælfwine (“Alvin”, literally “elf friend”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Norman
Aethelred
Learned borrowing from Old English Æþelræd, Æðelred, from æþele (“noble”) + rǣd (“counsel, advice”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Alfredas
Learned borrowing from Latin Alfredus, from Old English Ælfræd, from Proto-West Germanic *Albirād. Compare Latvian Alfrēds.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Athelred
A male given name from Old English Æþelræd (“noble counsel, well-advised”), variant of Æthelred, Aethelred, or Ethelred.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Norman
Aldith
From Old English eald (“old”) + gūþ (“battle”)
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aldous
Short form of Old English compound given names beginning with the element eald (“old”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aldwyth
From Old English eald (“old”) + gūþ (“battle”)
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length