Of Germanic origin.
Norman means “northman” in Old Germanic.
It was used as a nickname referring to Vikings.
It became quite common in places like France, after the Vikings conquest the coastal area named Normandy.
In England it was used before the Norman conquest, as a byname for Scandinavian settlers.
Feminine forms of the name are Norma, Normina, Norrie.
Alternative forms of the name are Normand, Norm, Normen, Normy.
Famous bearers are Norman Mailer, Norman Jewison, Norman Reedus, Norman Powell, Norman Rockwell, Norman Fell, Norman Cook.
Norman Mailer was an American author, journalist, playwright and political activist.
He was one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century.
He won two Pulitzer Prizes and was considered one of the innovators of the “New Journalism”.
He was one of the founders of “The Village Voice”.
Read more about him in the Norman Mailer Center.