Jordan
Jordan is a Christian unisex name of Hebrew origin, meaning “To flow down, descend”.
| Meaning | To flow down, descend |
|---|---|
| Gender | Unisex |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | יַרְדֵּן |
| Pronunciation | JOR-dun |
| Tradition | Christian, Jewish, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia |
Meaning and origin of Jordan
Jordan is the name of the river where, in the Gospels, John baptised Jesus, and it is usually traced to the Hebrew root y-r-d, 'to go down', describing the river's steep descent to the Dead Sea. Crusaders brought back Jordan water for baptisms, and the river's name began to be given to children in medieval Europe. It faded and then returned strongly in the late twentieth century, used for both boys and girls, helped by figures such as basketball player Michael Jordan.
Is Jordan a Christian name?
Jordan is not the name of a biblical person but of the river central to stories of Israel crossing into Canaan and of Jesus's baptism, which gives it a Christian association; in Israel Yarden is used as a given name.
How popular is Jordan?
Widely used in English-speaking countries for both boys and girls, though less common than at its 1990s peak.
Gifts with the name Jordan
- Jordan name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Jordan baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Jordan
Names similar to Jordan
More Christian unisex names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jordan mean?
Jordan means 'To flow down, descend'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Jordan a Christian name?
Jordan is not the name of a biblical person but of the river central to stories of Israel crossing into Canaan and of Jesus's baptism, which gives it a Christian association; in Israel Yarden is used as a given name.
How do you pronounce Jordan?
Jordan is pronounced JOR-dun.
Is Jordan a boy or girl name?
Jordan is used for both boys and girls.