Special Report
The Most Popular Names In America Since 1880
February 26, 2021 11:10 am
Source: Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
10. Thomas
> Avg. share of babies named Thomas, 1880-2019 1.45%
> Total no. of babies named Thomas, 1880-2019: 2,318,599
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 350,755 babies were named Thomas, or 2.36% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Inventor Thomas Edison
Thomas is the Greek form of the Aramaic name Ta’oma’, meaning twin.
Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
9. George
> Avg. share of babies named George, 1880-2019 1.59%
> Total no. of babies named George, 1880-2019: 1,470,539
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 47,651 babies were named George, or 4.35% of all baby boys
> Pictured: First president of the U.S. George Washington
George is the English version of the Greek name Georgios, which originates from the Greek word “georgos,” meaning farmer.
Source: Shaun Botterill / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
8. David
> Avg. share of babies named David, 1880-2019 1.65%
> Total no. of babies named David, 1880-2019: 3,630,549
> Most popular decade: 1960 when 734,027 babies were named David, or 3.81% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Former soccer player David Beckham
David is a version of the Hebrew name Dawid, which comes from “dod,” meaning beloved or uncle.
Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images
7. Joseph
> Avg. share of babies named Joseph, 1880-2019 1.76%
> Total no. of babies named Joseph, 1880-2019: 2,622,654
> Most popular decade: 1910 when 179,300 babies were named Joseph, or 2.69% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, from the root yasaf, meaning “may He add” or “God shall add.”
Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
6. Michael
> Avg. share of babies named Michael, 1880-2019 1.81%
> Total no. of babies named Michael, 1880-2019: 4,373,592
> Most popular decade: 1960 when 833,212 babies were named Michael, or 4.33% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Retired basketball player Michael Jordan
Michael comes from the Hebrew name Mikha’el, which means “who is like God?,” implying that no one is like God.
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