A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Chester since 1880
Babies named Chester per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,699 |
| 1890s | 3,021 |
| 1900s | 3,788 |
| 1910s | 23,500 |
| 1920s | 28,435 |
| 1930s | 14,413 |
| 1940s | 15,287 |
| 1950s | 12,780 |
| 1960s | 6,784 |
| 1970s | 4,132 |
| 1980s | 2,796 |
| 1990s | 1,549 |
| 2000s | 884 |
| 2010s | 840 |
| 2020s | 566 |
Meaning & origin
Chester is a name that conjures old-fashioned charm, with a history rooted in Roman Britain. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1918 at rank 43, a time when many classic English surnames were adopted as first names. After declining for decades, the name has been rising since 2010, part of a revival of early 20th century names. In 2023, Chester was given to about 1 in every 15,963 boys, placing it at rank 1,585. The name shows strongest historical preference in states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, reflecting its popularity in the Midwest and Northeast. Its trajectory suggests a quiet comeback, appealing to parents seeking a name with vintage weight but without current trendiness.
Chester derives from the Old English word 'ceaster', meaning 'Roman fort' or 'walled town', which itself comes from Latin 'castra' (camp). It was originally a locational surname for someone who lived near a Roman fort or in the city of Chester, England. As a given name, it came into use in the 19th century, partly influenced by the surname and by the popularity of place names from the British aristocracy. It saw its greatest popularity in the early 20th century.
Where Chester 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.
“Chester” around the world
Where Chester lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
New Zealand
13
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chet, Ches
Sibling names for Chester
Names that share Chester's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mabel, Clara, Edith, Ruby, Florence, Eunice, Frances, Gloria, Lois, Melba, Thelma, Velma, Berneice, Berniece, Bulah, Dortha, Ethelyn, Laverna, Lorene, Loretha, Marva, Maybelle, Merrilee, Nedra, Retha, Vernie, Wilda, Arletha, Arletta, Beaulah, Blondell, Charlsie, Eartha, Florene, Gearldine, Inell, Myrle, Myrtice, Olene, Regena, Shirlie, Vennie, Vernia, Belma, Berdena, Bernyce, Carlean, Celester, Claretha, Clella, Doreatha, Dorsie, Earnesteen, Estes, Francena, Hasel, Helon, Jewelene, Joycie, Lajean, Lavella, Laverta, Leetta, Lemmie, Letti, Loetta, Lorain, Lubertha, Lurene, Luretha, Mardella, Margaree, Maybelline, Merrily, Mertice, Nelva, Relda, Valjean, Virgene, Wendolyn, Willamae, Wynelle, Zelpha, Alfretta, Ardythe, Areatha, Arretta, Avonell, Bethene, Caretha, Chestine, Chrystine, Clorine, Eldonna, Emmagene, Ercell, Flordia, Gladine, Gwendola, Iretha, Jilda, Junella, Ladona, Lamona, Larene, Laverle, Lavora, Lestine, Loletta, Lorell, Lorice, Luceal, Mazell, Melvenia, Melvine, Merdis, Orvilla, Pearlee, Roselene, Uldine, Vaneta, Waunita, Willodene, Arliene, Birdella, Rubena, Armentha, Bernetha, Boneta, Bonnetta, Chestina, Cleaster, Dovey, Elgene, Eulene, Hazelene, Ilamae, Inetha, Jeroline, Judene, Ladonne, Lorrene, Loucille, Lummie, Lynore, Margerie, Maudean, Maysel, Modine, Murline, Onedia, Ovetta, Rosezella, Ruthellen, Searcy, Sible, Sybol, Unice, Velvie, Verdine, Verley, Verneal, Walsie, Willeen
Brothers: Walter, Arthur, Harold, Clarence, Raymond, Clifford, Clyde, Dewey, Elmer, Grover, Leland, Lester, Milton, Wilbur, Willard, Alford, Barton, Berton, Burton, Cleveland, Earle, Ellwood, Elwood, Fulton, Gaylord, Haywood, Hobart, Irving, Kermit, Lenord, Linwood, Mearl, Millard, Monte, Norris, Orvil, Orville, Sanford, Steward, Wilburn, Wilton, Bartley, Burdette, Chauncy, Clarance, Deward, Durwood, Edsel, Elroy, Furman, Haskell, Hillard, Lennis, Manford, Merrell, Milburn, Newell, Norton, Prentice, Prentiss, Rosco, Rosevelt, Theodis, Vester, Wardell, Wayman, Webster, Winton, Alvester, Armstead, Arvie, Ballard, Bascom, Beecher, Bernis, Boss, Bufford, Burnis, Clide, Creston, Deforest, Denson, Derwood, Dickson, Erving, Fremont, Garlin, Glenford, Grafton, Harding, Harrel, Hassel, Horton, Hulon, Irven, Lansing, Larence, Leanard, Lendon, Levester, Lindbergh, Lorence, Marshel, Medford, Morey, Murrel, Ogden, Orvel, Orvis, Purvis, Rulon, Rutherford, Sewell, Standley, Thurlow, Tolbert, Vernis, Virgel, Wilbern, Windle, Woodford, Woodroe, Worley, Barnes, Bartlett, Beuford, Bluford, Borden, Burdell, Caswell, Chalmer, Claxton, Cleston, Comer, Crandall, Deloss, Dewie, Duward, Elester, Eural, Fillmore, Filmore, Garnie, Hanford, Harles, Harvel, Herschell, Hersey, Holman, Kester, Lamoyne, Lecil, Littleton, Loman, Norville, Orvill, Percell, Purnell, Ranson, Rollen, Shermon, Thelmer, Thermon, Verdon, Wadell, Willey, Williard, Windel, Woodard, Wyndell, Bearl, Burlie, Colburn, Dorance, Eugean, Leston, Arlander, Atwell, Bartow, Burwell, Byard, Capers, Carless, Carnie, Cleatus, Clester, Cliffard, Coolidge, Cottrell, Culver, Dareld, Densel, Eldrige, Farmer, Felder, Floyed, Guerry, Hasten, Hubbert, Laymond, Loomis, Lorance, Lyndol, Mervil, Merville, Milferd, Nester, Odas, Orvile, Philmore, Proctor, Ransome, Sargent, Shafter, Slyvester, Tildon, Trice, Vernor, Wendle, Wildon, Willford, Willys
