Declining since 2018, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Boy since 1900
Babies named Boy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2019, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Boy's real moment was 1903.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 15 |
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 7 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 48 |
| 1990s | 217 |
| 2000s | 192 |
| 2010s | 264 |
| 2020s | 153 |
Meaning & origin
The name Boy is a literal English word name that has seen infrequent use as a given name. According to Social Security data, it was first recorded in 1900 and reached its highest popularity in 1903, ranking 5208 in 2025. Its trajectory has been falling since 2018, and it is most common in North Dakota. As a straightforward word name, Boy reflects a naming trend of using common nouns, though it remains rare compared to traditional names. Parents who choose it may appreciate its simplicity and directness.
The word "boy" comes from Middle English boy, boi, from Old English *bōfa (attested in bōfa 'servant'), of uncertain further origin. As a given name, it appears occasionally in historical records, possibly as a surname transferred to first name or as a simple word name. Its use peaked in the early 1900s in the United States and has since declined.
Where Boy is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Boy
Names that share Boy's style, for a brother or sister.
