Rising since 1999, #1,191 for boys today.
Popularity of Cove since 1997
Babies named Cove per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0 | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 | 53 |
| 2010s | 50 | 402 |
| 2020s | 422 | 764 |
Meaning & origin
Cove is a modern nature-inspired name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1997. As of 2024 (the latest full year), it ranked at 1,191, with roughly 1 in 9,989 newborns receiving the name. The name has been consistently rising in popularity since at least 1999, and it reached its peak rank so far in 2025. It is most popular in Utah, Oregon, and Tennessee, reflecting a preference for outdoor-inspired names in those regions. Cove fits the broader trend of topographic names like River and Lake, offering a concise and evocative choice for parents seeking a gender-neutral option.
Cove is a topographic surname and given name derived from the Old English word 'cofa,' meaning a small chamber or cave, later applied to a sheltered coastal inlet. It emerged as a given name in the late 20th century as part of the trend for nature-inspired word names.
Where Cove is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cove” around the world
Where Cove lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
15
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Cove
Names that share Cove's style, for a brother or sister.
