Fortune

Meaning of Fortune

Fortune, a unisex appellation pronounced FOR-choon (/fɔrˈtʊn/), derives from the Middle English and Old French term fortuna, itself rooted in the Latin word for “chance” or “luck,” and functions as an abstract-noun name that conveys notions of providence, auspice, wealth and the vicissitudes of destiny. In Anglo-American usage it retains a reserved, almost clinical resonance—eschewing flamboyance in favor of a measured evocation of opportunity and risk—while its technical status as a virtue-style name underscores a conceptual rather than familial origin. In the United States, Fortune first entered Social Security Administration records in 1922 at rank 596 and has since appeared intermittently within the top 1,000, most recently placing 938th in 2024 with 12 recorded occurrences, an endurance that reflects its modest yet persistent appeal across both genders.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as FOR-choon (/fɔrˈtʊn/)

• Destiny
• Chance
• Lucky
• Prosper
• Fate
• Serendipity