Holding steady.
Popularity of Atwood since 1911
Babies named Atwood per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 113 |
| 1920s | 114 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 39 |
| 1950s | 30 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 19 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Atwood is a historical English surname-turned-given name that saw its peak usage in 1912, though it never ranked in the U.S. top 1000. According to Social Security data, it was first recorded as a given name in 1911, and its trajectory has been stable at very low numbers ever since, with no rank in 2025. The name evokes an old-fashioned, woodsy feel, similar to other nature-inspired surnames from the same era. Despite its obscurity, Atwood retains a quiet charm for parents seeking a distinctive and literary-sounding choice, aided by its association with the surname of celebrated author Margaret Atwood.
Atwood is a transferred use of the English surname meaning 'dweller at the wood' (from Middle English 'atte wode'). It was occasionally used as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, possibly influenced by the fame of author William Atwood or as a family surname passed as a first name. Its usage has been rare since the 1910s.
Sibling names for Atwood
Names that share Atwood's style, for a brother or sister.
