Portland

“from the land by the port”

American origin · Unisex name

♂ 32% boys♀ 68% girls

#11898US 2023

6Births / yr

↑Rising

191All-time births

📅 Since 195800

How to pronounce Portland

PAW·rtlund

/ˈpɔ.rtlənd/ · stress on PAW · 2 syllables

“from the land by the port”

American origin · Unisex name

What does Portland mean and where does it come from?

Portland is primarily used as a feminine given name derived from the geographic name of the cities Portland in Maine and Oregon. The name indicates a connection to a port, reflecting historical significance in trade and commerce. While predominantly a surname or place name, it has recently gained tr

Cultural significance

Portland has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of from the land by the port.

Peak popularity

Reached #3859 in 1964 — currently #11898 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Portland?

Portland works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Portland Grace

How popular is Portland right now?

Rising fast — up 54 spots — currently #11898 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1965–2023#11898 · Top 8.8%

1965

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#11898	6	▲ up 54
2022	#11952	6	▼ down 5369 · -54% births
2021	#6583	13	▲ up 4598 · +63% births
2020	#11181	8	▲ up 5614 · +60% births
2015	#16795	5	▼ down 3114 · -29% births
2010	#13681	7	▼ down 7348 · +17% births
1965	#6333	6	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Portland

Best Year1965Rank #6333

Peak Count13

Average Rank#11203

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1965 - 20237 years

The story of Portland

Portland entered American naming records in 1958 and has been in use for over 66 years. With 191 total births recorded, Portland remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #6333 in 1965, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #11898 in 2023. Portland is used for both genders: 68% female and 32% male.

Names that peaked alongside Portland in 1964:

Lisa Mary Susan Karen Patricia

Portland by decade

Portland peaked in the 1960s. See all 1960s names →

Decade	Births
1950s	11
1960s	67
2000s	10
2010s ★	84
2020s	19

💎Portland has only 191 total recorded births since 1958 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Portland?

Common

PorPoOrtland

What names sound and feel like Portland?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Portland also consider these

Cortland

American · Derived from an

American · A beloved name

Orland

American · from the land

American · land of the

Common questions about the name Portland

What does the name Portland mean?

Portland means "from the land by the port" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Portland?

Portland is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Portland have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Portland?

Portland originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Portland?

Portland is a two-syllable name pronounced P AO1 R T L AH0 N D. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Portland trending right now?

Portland is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.