Declining since 2014, #3,128 for boys today.
Popularity of Baxter since 1880
Babies named Baxter per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2014, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Baxter's real moment was 1887.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 88 |
| 1890s | 76 |
| 1900s | 84 |
| 1910s | 319 |
| 1920s | 418 |
| 1930s | 342 |
| 1940s | 296 |
| 1950s | 286 |
| 1960s | 205 |
| 1970s | 125 |
| 1980s | 172 |
| 1990s | 382 |
| 2000s | 413 |
| 2010s | 610 |
| 2020s | 218 |
Meaning & origin
Baxter is a surname-turned-given-name with straightforward occupational roots, meaning 'baker.' Its peak in 1887 reflects a typical 19th-century naming pattern for revived surname names. In 2025, it ranked 3,128, with a frequency of 1 in 44,949, showing a decline in popularity since 2014. Historically concentrated in Tennessee, Baxter remains a solid, traditional choice for parents seeking a name with a clear meaning and a no-nonsense feel. Its rarity today gives it a distinctive quality without being unfamiliar.
Baxter is an English occupational surname derived from Middle English 'bakstere,' meaning 'baker.' It originally referred to a female baker (the feminine form of 'baker'), but by the 14th century it was used for both sexes. As a given name, Baxter was occasionally used from the 19th century onward, often reflecting family surnames. It saw its highest U.S. popularity in the 1880s.
Where Baxter is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bax, B
Sibling names for Baxter
Names that share Baxter's style, for a brother or sister.
