Declining since 2022, #1,743 for boys today.
Popularity of Ender since 1991
Babies named Ender per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 22 |
| 2000s | 188 |
| 2010s | 951 |
| 2020s | 696 |
Meaning & origin
Ender is a modern literary coinage that entered the U.S. naming landscape after the publication of Orson Scott Card's 1985 novel 'Ender's Game'. First recorded in 1991, the name saw a gradual rise in popularity, reaching its peak in 2022. Since then, its trajectory has been falling, though it remains in use. In 2025, the name ranked 1,743rd with an incidence of 1 in 18,366. The highest concentration of Enders can be found in Utah, Colorado, and Washington State. As a name born from science fiction, Ender appeals to parents seeking a distinctive and contemporary choice with a strong literary connection.
The name Ender was created by Orson Scott Card for the protagonist of his 1985 novel "Ender's Game". Card has stated that he chose the name because it suggested an ending or a finality, fitting the character's role as a child military prodigy. The novel's success led to the name being adopted in real life, with first recorded usage in the United States in 1991.
Where Ender is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ender” around the world
Where Ender lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Endy
Sibling names for Ender
Names that share Ender's style, for a brother or sister.
