Declining since 2020, #3,757 for boys today.
Popularity of Champion since 1914
Babies named Champion per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 14 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 81 |
| 2010s | 316 |
| 2020s | 318 |
Meaning & origin
Champion is a rare given name that first appeared on U.S. records in 1914. After a century of sporadic use, it reached its peak rank in 2019, climbing as high as 3,757th. Since 2020, its popularity has been falling. As of 2025, the name is given to roughly 1 in every 58,899 boys, placing it far outside the top 1,000. The name is overwhelmingly used for boys, with no recorded top states or notable trends suggesting broader adoption. Its usage as a first name taps into a modern preference for word names that convey strength and aspiration, similar to other virtue- and status-inspired choices like Valor or Noble.
Champion derives from the Old French 'champiun', itself from the Latin 'campio' (gladiator, fighter), rooted in 'campus' (field of battle). It entered English as a surname before the 13th century, referring to a professional combatant who fought on behalf of another. As a given name, it emerged in the 20th century, likely inspired by the aspirational quality of the word.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Champ
Sibling names for Champion
Names that share Champion's style, for a brother or sister.
