ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cameron

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈkæmɝən// cameron

n. a common name for a person, used for both men and women. It is also a popular last name in English-speaking countries.

n. a given name or surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'cam shròn' meaning 'crooked nose'. Used as a unisex forename in modern English contexts.


SIMPLE

Cameron is starting his new job on Monday morning.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher called out Cameron's name during the morning roll call to see if he was present.

COMPLEX

While historically more common as a masculine given name, Cameron has seen a significant rise in feminine usage across North America over the last several decades.

Etymology 1

From Scottish Gaelic Camshròn, from cam (“crooked, bent”) + sròn (“nose”). Compare Campbell, from Scottish Gaelic cam (“crooked”) + beul (“mouth”).

Etymology 2

An anglicization of Irish Ó Cumaráin, Ó Cumráin (“descendant of *Cumrán”).

Etymology 3

Perhaps from Pictish cam (“crooked”) + brun (“hill”).

Usage

As a proper noun, it is always capitalized.

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