The baby name Townes is a polished, surname-style name that could follow Brooks and Wells into the mainstream.
Thanks to Meg for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME TOWNES MEAN?
Townes is a reasonably common last name. You might also find Towns, Towner, Townsend, or Townshend in use.
They’re all place names, originally for someone who lived in, well, town. Or, in the case of Townsend, at the end of the town.
That word ultimately comes from the Old English tun, as in an enclosed place. Over the centuries, a town became defined as a specific area with some type of local government.
More technical definitions have developed, of course. The difference between a village, a city, and so forth is often codified and explained with precision, depending on where you call home.
Town doesn’t always mean an oversized village. Sometimes it’s more of a concept. If you’re heading out “on the town,” it suggests you’re headed for a good time, probably with some glitz and glamour. Possibly champagne.
Fans of Regency romance know that “the ton” isn’t just a fancy English language pronunciation of town. It means “fashionable society.”
If we “go to town,” we’re all in, bringing plenty of energy to the task.
And “man about town” suggests a handsome sort of guy, complete with designer suits and an in with every club in the city.
Except those references are a little faded, in a black-and-white Hollywood kind of way.
In the 2020s, town is also hometown and down home, a country sensibility.
And that makes the meaning of Townes versatile and doubly appealing.
THE RISE OF ENDS-WITH-S SURNAMES
Similar names, like Rhodes, Banks, and Wells, are fast-rising favorites.
Surname names for our children continue to be popular. It’s just that we’re trading ends-with-N and ends-with-R for ends-with-S.
The standard bearer in this category? Brooks. It’s been a Top 100 favorite since 2020. Like Townes, it’s a both-and kind of choice. Brooks Brothers meets Garth Brooks, for a name that’s part-blue blazer, part-cowboy boots.
TOWNES VAN ZANDT
Speaking of cowboy boots, Texas-born singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt might be the best-known bearer of the name.
Born John Townes Van Zandt, his middle was a family name. (His mother was Dorothy Townes.) A successful musician in his own right, his fame came from writing songs recorded by others, including Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris.
Artists like Bob Dylan and Counting Crows cite Van Zandt as an influence. While he’s still not a household name, his legacy lends the first name Townes a certain edge.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME TOWNES?
As a boy’s name, Townes has never cracked the US Top 1000.
In 2023, the baby name Townes was given to 116 boys.
It only debuted as a given name in the Social Security Administration data back in 2002, so that’s a pretty healthy bump in use.
While it’s still relatively rare, the popularity of Townes seems likely to increase farther still.
TOWNES AS A GIRL’S NAME
While this name is far more popular for baby boys, Townes does cross gender lines. It debuted in the girls’ data in 2018. As of 2023, 18 girls were named Townes.
That’s a small enough number to disregard.
Except actress Hilary Duff recently named her youngest Townes Meadow.
The new baby joins brother Luca Cruz, Hilary’s child with her ex-husband, as well as Hilary and Matthew Koma’s two older daughters, Banks Violet and Mae James.
POLISHED POSSIBILITY
There’s something about names like Townes. They’re polished, but also capable. It’s a distinctive choice but one that feels familiar.
It’s the perfect name for expectant parents looking for something with that blends Texas and Connecticut. Townes is a rancher and a conservationist; an accountant and an avid outdoorsman.
That versatility, married with some serious style, makes Townes a great choice for a 2020s baby.
