Yes, we know that “Taylor” is his last name, but we wanted to throw him in here given his obvious influence on the popularity of the name Taylor as a given name in America. Zachary Taylor was more popular as an American war hero and military leader (which spanned a 40-year career and four wars) than he was as the 12th U.S. President (which only lasted 16 months). He achieved fame leading American troops to victory in the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Monterrey during the Mexican-American War. Known as “Old Rough and Ready,” Taylor’s war-hero status is what really got him elected. That, and his moderate stance on issues between the North and the South.
