Declining since 2005, #385 for boys today.
Popularity of Cesar since 1915
Babies named Cesar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 40 |
| 1920s | 138 |
| 1930s | 182 |
| 1940s | 332 |
| 1950s | 868 |
| 1960s | 2,156 |
| 1970s | 6,153 |
| 1980s | 9,163 |
| 1990s | 17,848 |
| 2000s | 23,610 |
| 2010s | 13,084 |
| 2020s | 5,250 |
Meaning & origin
Cesar is a name with Roman imperial roots, now widely used in Spanish-speaking communities. In the U.S., it ranked 385th in 2025, with 1 in every 2,073 boys receiving the name. Its peak year was 2004, and since 2005 its popularity has been gradually declining. The name has its strongest presence in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. Cesar remains a strong, culturally resonant choice that connects a child to a celebrated historical lineage while fitting comfortably into contemporary naming trends.
From the Latin cognomen Caesar, of uncertain meaning. The most famous bearer, Gaius Julius Caesar, gave the name imperial prestige that led to its use as a title (Kaiser, Tsar). In Spanish-speaking cultures, Cesar has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, often in reference to the Roman ruler.
Where Cesar is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cesar” around the world
Where Cesar lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
395
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cess
Variants: César, Caesar
Sibling names for Cesar
Names that share Cesar's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Cesar
Names whose popularity has moved with Cesar's over the last 50 years.
