Rising since 2005, #3,240 for boys today.
Popularity of Ajax since 2005
Babies named Ajax per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 42 |
| 2010s | 223 |
| 2020s | 187 |
Meaning & origin
Ajax entered the U.S. baby name charts in 2005, a latecomer compared to most classical names. Its adoption has grown steadily, with a current rank of 3240 in 2025 and an estimated 1-in-47447 rate. The name reached its peak popularity in 2023, continuing an upward trajectory since its debut. Its resurgence likely reflects the modern trend of reviving heroic names from antiquity, though its Greek origin and literary pedigree give it a scholarly edge. While it has not yet appeared in the top states lists, the name's rising trajectory suggests it may find favor among parents seeking a distinctive, mythologically grounded choice.
Ajax is the Latinized form of the Greek name Aias, borne by two heroes in Homer's Iliad. The name's etymology is uncertain; it may be derived from a Greek word for 'eagle' (aietos) or from aiskhos, meaning 'shame' or 'disgrace'. The name was rarely used in the ancient world but saw modern revival as a literary and classical reference.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Aias
Sibling names for Ajax
Names that share Ajax's style, for a brother or sister.
