Chad

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Chad

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Chad is the modern English form of the Old English name Ceadda, meaning “Warrior.”

Chad is also the name of an African nation, named after Lake Chad, where the name is an Anglicization of the French Tchad, from the a Bornu word “tsade” meaning “lake.”

Chad can also be short for then name Chadwick, a transferred surname. The surname is of Old English origin and probably means “Chad’s Dairy Farm.”

History:
Chad, based on the Old English name of Ceadda, although not unknown, was rare until recently.

The name became more familiar to English-speaking audiences during World War II when it was used to refer to a certain type of graffiti that appeared in England. The character was named Mr. Chad, and was usually the top of a head, with eyes and a nose sticking over a fence. He was probably created by a cartoonist named George Edward “Chat” Chatterton. Initially, the Mr. Chad graffito was used to complain about shortages.

The Mr. Chad character later merged with a popular American graffiti of “Kilroy Was Here” and became famous throughout the world. Another influence (in Britain,anyway) may have been popular clergyman Chad Varah (1911-).

Soon after the war, the old name Chad was revived. Within a few decades it had become quite common. Chad received a boost in 1969 when actor Chad Everett (born Raymond Cramton) began starring in the popular CBS drama Medical Center (1969-1976).

The name Chad was at its most popular in the 1970s.

Pronunciation: chad.

Surnames: Chadd.

Famous Bearers:
Religious Figures:
Saint Chad (Ceadda) (-672)
Christianized the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia.
Chad Varah (1911-)
Popular Anglican clergyman. Set up a suicide counseling phone line.

Singers and Entertainers:
Chad Everett (Raymond Lee Cramton) (1936-)
American Actor.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.165 % named Chad

Popularity of Chad:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1880-1944: N/A
1945: 982nd most popular.
1946: 868th most popular.
1947: 776th most popular.
1948: 946th most popular.
1949: 934th most popular.
1950: 835th most popular.
1951: 708th most popular.
1952: 642nd most popular.
1953: 582nd most popular.
1954: 507th most popular.
1955: 480th most popular.
1956: 510th most popular.
1957: 492nd most popular.
1958: 491st most popular.
1959: 498th most popular.
1960: 494th most popular.
1961: 416th most popular.
1962: 373rd most popular.
1963: 308th most popular.
1964: 259th most popular.
1965: 208th most popular. - The nation of Chad begins a civil war.
1966: 135th most popular.
1967: 105th most popular.
1968: 104th most popular.
1969: 72nd most popular. - The popular medical drama Medical Center, starring Chad Everett, debuts on CBS. It runs for seven years.
1970: 51st most popular.
1971: 29th most popular.
1972: 25th most popular. - Peak!
1973: 25th most popular.
1974: 26th most popular.
1975: 27th most popular.
1976: 29th most popular.
1977: 34th most popular.
1978: 35th most popular.
1979: 38th most popular.
1980: 39th most popular.
1981: 47th most popular.
1982: 48th most popular.
1983: 49th most popular.
1984: 51st most popular.
1985: 57th most popular.
1986: 59th most popular.
1987: 63rd most popular.
1988: 65th most popular.
1989: 75th most popular.
1990: 90th most popular.
1991: 107th most popular.
1992: 113th most popular.
1993: 119th most popular.
1994: 136th most popular.
1995: 151st most popular.
1996: 165th most popular.
1997: 177th most popular.
1998: 181st most popular.
1999: 218th most popular.
2000: 239th most popular.
2001: 284th most popular.
2002: 312th most popular.
2003: 338th most popular.
2004: 345th most popular.

Selected Sources:
The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names, Withycombe, 3rd ed., 1977
The Penguin Dictionary of First Names, Pickering, 1999
A Dictionary of English Surnames by Reaney and Wilson, 1997.

The Internet Movie Database - For information on the Medical Center and Chad Everett
Wikipedia- For information on Mr. Chad and “Kilroy Was Here.”

The Social Security Administration Actuarial Note 139 - For popularity stats 1880-Present
The 1880 U.S. Census- For popularity stats 1850-1880