Holding steady.
Popularity of Columbus since 1880
Babies named Columbus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Columbus's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 513 |
| 1890s | 411 |
| 1900s | 397 |
| 1910s | 1,101 |
| 1920s | 1,526 |
| 1930s | 1,031 |
| 1940s | 866 |
| 1950s | 679 |
| 1960s | 360 |
| 1970s | 248 |
| 1980s | 159 |
| 1990s | 103 |
| 2000s | 69 |
| 2010s | 49 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Columbus is a name of Latin origin, associated with the explorer Christopher Columbus. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, its peak year, with 6 recorded births that year. The name has remained stable over the decades, never achieving wide popularity. As a toponym and surname turned given name, it carries historical resonance. With no recent rankings and a stable trajectory, Columbus is a rare choice.
Christopher Columbus, the explorer, popularized the name in the English-speaking world. Derived from the Latin 'columba' (dove), it was a given name in Italian as 'Colombo'. It has been used as a given name in the United States, particularly in the late 19th century.
Where Columbus 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Col, Lum
Sibling names for Columbus
Names that share Columbus's style, for a brother or sister.
