Townsend brings to mind legendary musician Pete, while mixing in a preppy, buttoned-down, and even Southern sensibility.
Thanks to Carolyn for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
Townsend: Exactly what it sounds like …
In Middle English, when we reached the end of a village, we stood at the touun ende. Someone who lived there eventually adopted the description as their surname.
They’re found in Yorkshire and Norfolk, and maybe a few other places, too.
It’s common enough that you’ll find the name on maps throughout the English-speaking world.
Townsend: Harris, Cromwell, and Bell
A handful of notables have answered to this surname as a given name:
- Merchant Harris helped open Japan to foreign trade in the nineteenth century while serving as the first United States Consul General to the nation.
- In the early twentieth century, oceanographer Cromwell discovered a current in the Pacific Ocean that still bears his name.
- Olympic silver medalist Saunders is a wrestling champ.
- Race car driver Bell competes in the IndyCar series, and serves as an NBC commentator.
But even more have worn the name as a surname.
Townsend: Pete
Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend – an alternate spelling of the surname – was born in London in 1945, the son of professional musicians. He joined his first band in 1961, scored his first hit in 1965 with The Who. More than two dozen hits followed “I Can’t Explain,” including rock opera “Tommy” and enduring anthems like “Baba O’Reilly.”
Townshend wrote nearly all of The Who’s 100-plus songs, but was long known for his tendency to destroy instruments on stage.
The Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer lends a lot of edge to this otherwise buttoned-down name.
Townsend: Rebellion
Speaking of edge, here’s a fun fact. Charles Townshend served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under King George III. He authored the acts taxing the American colonies. While several were eventually repealed, the Townshend Acts’ tax on tea remained.
You know the rest of the story.
Townsend: By the Numbers
Parents love place names and surnames, and there are some interesting stories attached to this one.
But is anyone actually naming their sons Townsend?
In 2013, two dozen children were given the name. Last year, the number was eighteen.
2015 also gave us 56 newborn boys named Townes.
I couldn’t find any other Town- names in use in even small numbers in the US, but 2009’s The Lace Reader included a female main character called Towner Whitney. Rumors of a big screen adaptation of the novel have fizzled, but that might be the best hope for a big boost in the number of Town- names used in the US.
And yet, Townsend is a name that could wear well. It fits in with two-syllable, ends-in-n (sort of) names for boys. In many ways, the name feels like a Southern family name handed down over the generations. But ties to The Who lend it a rock ‘n roll sheen. It might be a brother name for Brooks or Wilder, or other preppy hellraiser names.
Overall, this name remains rare – but that might be exactly what many families are after.
Would you consider Townsend for your child’s name?
My son is named Townsend He was born in 1985! I love the name!
I named my daughter Townsend. When I was a young girl I read a book with a a girl character named Townsend. I never forgot it and gave that name to my daughter. I have been trying to find the name of the book that had that character, but no luck! Let me know if you know the book please.
I love Townsend. It reminds me inevitably of Port Townsend, a gorgeous Victorian town in Washington State I have many happy memories in. If I was raising a child somewhere outside of Washington I’d definitely consider it as a name – for the wonderful personal connotations, and I do love the sound – but here I think it might be a bit confusing.
I would love to meet a baby Townsend! It would definitely be a great sib name for Wilder. I think it would suitable and lovely for a girl, too. It has a distinguished and romantic sound.