# Gordon

/ˈɡɔɹdən/ (US) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gordon
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a common English name for a man. It is used as a first name or a family name.

For teachers: a masculine given name or surname of Scottish origin. It is a proper noun and is always capitalised.

## Examples

- My friend Gordon is coming to dinner tonight.
- The local library was named after Gordon Smith, a famous writer who lived in this town for fifty years.
- While the name Gordon was once extremely popular in the early twentieth century, its usage has declined significantly in recent decades as naming trends have shifted toward more modern alternatives.

## Usage notes

- As a proper noun, it requires a capital letter and is typically used without an article unless referring to a specific family group.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.