Gordon
Gordon comes from a Scottish place name — the Gaelic "gor" (spacious) and "dun" (fort, hill) — meaning "spacious fort." The name began as a Scottish surname referring to someone from such a place. As a first name, Gordon is essentially modern — it became popular in the late 19th century, partly in honor of General Charles Gordon (1830-1885), the British soldier killed at Khartoum. Gordon was a top-200 American name from 1915 to 1960, peaking at #76 in 1935. Gordon (the chef Gordon Ramsay, born 1966) gave the name a contemporary charge. Gordon (the physicist J. J. Thomson's student Frederick Gordon) gave the name scientific weight. I find Gordon has a serious, slightly Scottish quality — the "G" opening is firm, and the "don" ending gives it weight. The nickname Gordy (as in Gordie Howe, the hockey player) lightens it considerably. Gordon is a male name of Scottish (place name) origin that means "Spacious fort". Serious, Scottish, and a little intense. The name sounds direct. Gordons tend to be capable. US peaked #76 in 1935. Outside top 500 since 2005. Well-known people named Gordon include General Charles Gordon (soldier), Gordon Ramsay (chef), Gordon (Scottish place name), Gordie Howe (hockey player). Common variations and related forms of Gordon include Gordie (nickname), Gord (short form), Gorden (variant), Gordan (variant).