Smith is a given name derived from the English occupational surname Smith, meaning "metal worker, blacksmith". The surname originates from Old English smitan "to smite, to hit", referring to a blacksmith's striking of metal. As a given name, it is occasionally used in English-speaking countries, often to honor a family surname.Historical and Cultural ContextThe surname Smith is the most common surname in most of the English-speaking world, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, according to Wikipedia. In the United States alone, 2,442,977 people shared the surname Smith at the 2010 census, making it the most common. Over 500,000 people held the name in the UK as of 2006. Its prevalence is partly due to the commonality of the blacksmith trade in medieval times, when occupational surnames were often adopted. The name is especially common among those of English, Scottish, and Irish descent, and also among African-Americans for reasons including the assignment of the surname to enslaved people or its adoption as an occupational name. The fame of notable bearers such as the economist Adam Smith, the explorer John Smith, or the actors Will Smith and Maggie Smith has kept the name visible.Notable BearersNotable individuals with the given name Smith include Smith Henderson (American author), and the fictional character Smith (of Smith and Wesson fame). However, as a first name, Smith is relatively rare compared to its widespread surname usage.Key FactsMeaning: Metalworker, blacksmithOrigin: EnglishType: Given name derived from an occupational surnameUsage Regions: English-speaking world