A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Erwin since 1880
Babies named Erwin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Erwin's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 217 |
| 1890s | 404 |
| 1900s | 569 |
| 1910s | 3,350 |
| 1920s | 4,480 |
| 1930s | 2,622 |
| 1940s | 1,673 |
| 1950s | 1,759 |
| 1960s | 1,452 |
| 1970s | 913 |
| 1980s | 989 |
| 1990s | 899 |
| 2000s | 947 |
| 2010s | 619 |
| 2020s | 320 |
Meaning & origin
Erwin is a traditional Germanic name that peaked in the United States in 1901, when it was most frequently given to boys. In 2025, it ranked 2390, with roughly 1 in every 29,966 male births. The name has been rising in popularity since 2016, indicating a modest revival. Historically more common in Massachusetts and California, Erwin remains a distinctive choice with strong historical roots. Its meaning, 'friend of the boar,' reflects its ancient origins, and the name has been used consistently in German-speaking countries for centuries.
Erwin is a German name derived from the Old High German elements 'era' (honor, respect) and 'wini' (friend). Alternatively, it may be a variant of the name 'Erwyn' or a shortened form of 'Erwinus'. The name was introduced to England by the Normans but has been used consistently in German-speaking regions. In the United States, it saw peak popularity around 1901.
Where Erwin 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.
“Erwin” around the world
Where Erwin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Erw, Winnie
Sibling names for Erwin
Names that share Erwin's style, for a brother or sister.
