Rising since 1995, #648 for boys today.
Popularity of Anakin since 1995
Babies named Anakin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 165 |
| 2000s | 926 |
| 2010s | 2,042 |
| 2020s | 2,709 |
Meaning & origin
Anakin first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1995 and has risen steadily in popularity, driven entirely by the Star Wars franchise. As of 2025, it ranks 648th, with about 1 in 4,000 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak year was 2023, reflecting continued cultural relevance. The name is most popular in West Virginia, New Mexico, and Nevada. While originally a unique invention, Anakin has become a recognizable choice for fans of the saga, often paired with sibling names from the same universe such as Leia and Luke.
Anakin was created by George Lucas for the Star Wars films (debuting in 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, though the character's first on-screen appearance was in 1999's Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace). The name may have been inspired by an ancestor named Annikin, or possibly derived from the Biblical name Annas. It was virtually unknown as a given name before the franchise's popularity.
Where Anakin is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Anakin” around the world
Where Anakin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ani
Sibling names for Anakin
Names that share Anakin's style, for a brother or sister.
