Holding steady, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Doc since 1880
Babies named Doc per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2021, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Doc's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 121 |
| 1890s | 90 |
| 1900s | 88 |
| 1910s | 166 |
| 1920s | 170 |
| 1930s | 68 |
| 1940s | 61 |
| 1950s | 63 |
| 1960s | 41 |
| 1970s | 27 |
| 1980s | 38 |
| 1990s | 32 |
| 2000s | 83 |
| 2010s | 177 |
| 2020s | 166 |
Meaning & origin
Doc is a straightforward nickname-turned-given-name with a clear occupational origin. It first appeared in official records in 1880, the earliest year of Social Security data, and reached its peak popularity in 1883. Today, it remains extremely rare, with a 2025 rank of 3,949 and a 1-in-63,262 birth rate. Data indicates a stable trajectory, with no signs of revival. Top state usage in Texas suggests a regional Southern or Western affinity. As a short, strong name, Doc carries a no-nonsense, Americana charm without being tied to any lengthy etymology or multiple variants.
Doc originated as a nickname for someone who held the title of doctor, whether a medical practitioner or a learned scholar. It also emerged as a diminutive of names like Doctor or Dock, with the latter possibly referring to a dockworker. In the United States, Doc became a common informal name in the 19th century, often used as a nickname for sons named after their fathers (e.g., Junior). Its use as a given name peaked in the 1880s but has since become rare.
Where Doc is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Doc
Names that share Doc's style, for a brother or sister.
