Holding steady, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Dudley since 1880
Babies named Dudley per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1931, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dudley's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 270 |
| 1890s | 253 |
| 1900s | 312 |
| 1910s | 1,362 |
| 1920s | 1,964 |
| 1930s | 1,856 |
| 1940s | 1,798 |
| 1950s | 1,859 |
| 1960s | 1,039 |
| 1970s | 411 |
| 1980s | 291 |
| 1990s | 199 |
| 2000s | 107 |
| 2010s | 97 |
| 2020s | 50 |
Meaning & origin
Dudley is a surname-turned-given name with Old English roots, though its exact meaning is uncertain. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, the earliest year of Social Security Administration data. Its peak popularity came in 1907, after which usage steadily declined. Today it is exceedingly rare, ranking 10,695 in the latest year, with only 1 in 284,679 boys receiving the name. The trajectory has been stable at very low levels, keeping it a distinctive but seldom-chosen option. Dudley's usage spans regions without strong ties to any particular state.
Dudley is an English surname transferred to given name use, originating from the place name Dudley in the West Midlands. The place name likely combines the Old English personal name Dudda with 'leah', meaning 'woodland clearing'. It was established as a given name by the 19th century.
Where Dudley 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.
Sibling names for Dudley
Names that share Dudley's style, for a brother or sister.
