Declining since 2017, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Anchor since 2012
Babies named Anchor per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 95 |
| 2020s | 54 |
Meaning & origin
Anchor entered the U.S. baby name charts in 2012, a period when word names (like Sailor, Crew, and Maverick) were gaining traction. It peaked in 2016, but since 2017 its usage has been falling, with only a small number of boys receiving the name each year. In 2025, it ranked 9,714th with a 1-in-244,011 birth ratio, making it a highly uncommon choice. Its lack of top-state concentration suggests it has not caught on regionally. Despite its wane, Anchor remains emblematic of the modern desire for names that convey strength and reliability.
Anchor derives from the Old English 'ancor,' via Latin 'ancora' from Greek 'ankyra.' The word has been used as a given name only recently, reflecting the modern trend of adopting vocabulary words as names. It evokes the metaphorical sense of something that provides security and steadfastness.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Anky, Andy
Sibling names for Anchor
Names that share Anchor's style, for a brother or sister.
