Gordon
Meaning: Great hill or spacious fort
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Gender: Boy
Rank in Canada: #38
Total births: 30,023
History: From the Scottish place name meaning great hill. Gordon is quintessentially Canadian — Gordon Lightfoot is one of Canada's greatest musicians, and Gordon Downie of The Tragically Hip became a national hero. Gord is the most Canadian nickname there is.
Explore more at Canadian Baby Names on BabyNa.me
Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Canada’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2024) | #414 |
| Babies named Gordon in 2024 | 31 |
| Total recorded in Canada | 30,023 |
| Peak year | 1923 (658 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #9 |
| Years in records | 1917–2024 (108 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 117 spots |
Frequently asked about Gordon
What does the name Gordon mean?
Gordon means “Great hill or spacious fort” from Scottish Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Gordon?
Gordon has Scottish Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “Great hill or spacious fort”.
How popular is Gordon in Canada?
Gordon ranked #414 in Canada in 2024 — given to 31 babies that year.
When was Gordon most popular?
Gordon peaked in 1923 with 658 babies registered that year in Canada.
Is Gordon a boy or girl name?
Gordon is predominantly a boys' name in Canada — over 90% of Gordons in registered births are male.
Is the name Gordon rising or falling in popularity?
Gordon has fallen 117 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Canada — from #297 in 2019 to #414 in 2024.
How long has Gordon been recorded in Canada?
Gordon appears in birth records in Canada across 108 years — from 1917 through 2024.