What Does the Name Jordan Mean?
Jordan is a unisex name of Hebrew origin meaning “to flow down, descend (the River Jordan).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Jordan |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | to flow down, descend (the River Jordan) |
| Variants | Jordana, Jourdain, Giordano, Jordyn |
| Popularity | A US Top 100 name for decades; predominantly male but used for both sexes, boosted by Michael Jordan. |
The meaning and origin of Jordan
The name Jordan means “to flow down, descend (the River Jordan)” and has Hebrew origins. Jordan derives from the Hebrew name of the River Jordan, Yarden, meaning "to flow down" or "descend." Adopted as a given name by Crusaders who brought back Jordan water for baptisms, it is now used for both boys and girls.
Variants and related names
Jordan is related to several other names you may recognize: Jordana, Jourdain, Giordano, Jordyn. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Jordan?
A US Top 100 name for decades; predominantly male but used for both sexes, boosted by Michael Jordan.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Jordan below.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jordan mean?+
The name Jordan means “to flow down, descend (the River Jordan)” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Jordan?+
Jordan originates from Hebrew.
Is Jordan a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Jordan has trended in the US over time.
Jordan by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press