Origin, Meaning, And History of Ballard
Ballard is a given name and a surname that is derived from the English words ball, meaning ‘white spot,’ and ard, meaning ‘head.’ In Scottish, it emerged as a variant of the German word Bald, which means ‘mighty’ or ‘bald-headed.’ This name also derives its meaning from the Old Norse origin and is associated with ‘bold,’ ‘brave,’ ‘round-shaped,’ and ‘strong.’ In Old English, the name Ballard is associated with the ‘dancing song.’ Additionally, Ballard is a French derivative of the Ancient Germanic combination name Balhard, which is derived from ‘bal’ meaning ‘torment spitefulness,’ and ‘hard’ meaning ‘hard strong.’
The name probably gained more fame due to the American singer Florence Glenda Ballard, who was a founding member of the Supremes associated with the Motown record label. This vocal female group was widely known for their top forty singles, of which sixteen were sung by her. In 2001, the Universal Music Group’s Spectrum Music released a compilation of her works titled The Supreme Florence Ballard. She is one of the eight recipients of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
名字的变化包括民谣、Balard落下帷幕erd, Ballard, Beliard, Ballardo, Bullard, Belward, Bellyard, Bellard, Balhard, Balhardt, Ballardt, Balardt, Ballhard, and Bayard. Nicknames for this name include Bald, Bard, and Ball. The phonetic sounds associated with the name are bal-lar(d), b(a)-lla-rd, and bael-aard.
A few fictional characters with this name include the relentless and determined police detectiveRenée Ballardfrom the book Desert Star by Michael Connelly, the adventurous and intellectualSir Ballardfrom the 2016 monster film The Great Wall, and the persistentGrace Ballardfrom the 2019 American comedy-mystery film Murder Mystery. The 1973 novel titled Crash, later made into a film, by English writer JG Ballard has James Ballard as the protagonist. American historian and writer Laurel Thatcher Ulrich won a Pulitzer Prize for her book ‘A Midwife’s Tale’ that chronicles the life and work of midwifeMartha Ballard.
How To Pronounce Ballard?
Famous People With The Name Ballard
- Agnes Ballard美国建筑师和教育家,第一位女registered architect from Florida and the sixth from America to be admitted into the American Institute of Architects.
- Ballard BerkeleyEnglish actor and theater artist, known for his roles in the British television sitcom Fawlty Towers, the drama series Scotland Yard, and the film In Which We Serve.
- Tom BallardBritish rock climber and alpinist, known as the first mountaineer to climb the six major alpine north faces in the winter season project Starlight and Storms between December 2014 and March 2015 without a support team.
- Ballard MacDonaldAmerican lyricist and writer from Tin Pan Alley, contributed to the songs Play That Barber-Shop Chord, On the Mississippi, and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.
- Martha Moore BallardAmerican midwife and healer, the book based on her diary ‘A Midwife’s Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard based on her diary, 1785–1812’ won several awards including the Pulitzer prize in 1991.
- Geoffrey BallardCanadian geophysicist and businessman, globally acknowledged as the father of the fuel cell industry due to his work in the development of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell.
Ballard On The Popularity Chart
According to the US Social Security Administration, the name Ballard performed well in 1997. The following graphs indicate how the name has performed and been ranked over the years.
Popularity Over Time
The name Ballard was shared by 6 babies per million in 1986 and 2001. The name was most popular in 1997 with 7 babies per million sharing this name.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
This name was ranked highest at 18,826 in 1986. In 1997 the name fell to 23,517 rankings and in 2001, it fell further to 27,342.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Ballard
The name Ballard is pronounced ba-lla-rd. The following names may have a phonetic sound that is similar to this name.
Popular Sibling Names For Ballard
Other Popular Names Beginning With B
Names With Similar Meaning As Ballard
Ballard is a versatile name that means brave and strong. Here are a few more names with similar meanings.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Ballard
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Ballard?
The name Ballard means ‘white-spot’ or ‘bald-headed.’
2. What is the origin of the name Ballard?
Ballard has an English origin.
3. How common is the name Ballard?
According to SSA data, Ballard was at its peak popularity in 1901 when seven out of a million babies were given the name. It ranked as the 862nd popular name in the US in the same year. The statistics show it is a rare name in the recent times, and its rarity adds to its charm, making it stand out among more common names (1).
4. Who are some famous people named Ballard?
Some notable individuals named Ballard include Alimi Ballard, an American actor; Kaye Ballard, an American actress, singer, and comedian; and Simone Ballard, a French opera singer. These individuals have significantly contributed to their respective fields, adding to the name’s unique appeal.
References:
- Social Security Administration.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
