Declining since 2014, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Bay since 1916
Babies named Bay per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 6 |
| 1930s | 0 | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 13 |
| 1980s | 5 | 0 |
| 1990s | 34 | 30 |
| 2000s | 62 | 58 |
| 2010s | 357 | 70 |
| 2020s | 65 | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Bay is a rare, modern unisex name that draws on the simplicity of nature. First recorded in 1987, it peaked in popularity in 2014 but has since been on a gradual decline. In 2025, it ranked 11,932, with approximately 1 in 229,610 newborns receiving the name. Its origin is uncertain, but it likely stems from the English word for a body of water or the bay laurel tree. Bay's appeal lies in its brevity and natural imagery, making it a distinctive choice that fits contemporary naming trends favoring short, evocative names. Its most popular decade was the 2010s, though it has never been widely used.
Bay is a modern given name, likely derived from the English word for a coastal inlet or the bay tree (laurel). It emerged as a unisex name in the late 20th century, possibly influenced by nature-name trends or as a short form of names like Bailey or Baylor.
Sibling names for Bay
Names that share Bay's style, for a brother or sister.
