Holding steady.
Popularity of Estes since 1887
Babies named Estes per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Estes's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 12 |
| 1890s | 0 | 7 |
| 1900s | 0 | 28 |
| 1910s | 11 | 147 |
| 1920s | 0 | 123 |
| 1930s | 0 | 81 |
| 1940s | 0 | 57 |
| 1950s | 0 | 39 |
| 1960s | 0 | 18 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 | 9 |
| 2020s | 40 | 24 |
Meaning & origin
Estes is an extremely rare given name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1887. Its peak year of use was 1893, when it was given to a small number of boys; after that, its usage declined steadily. The name has remained stable at very low levels for decades, with no signs of revival. Most likely derived from an English surname meaning 'eastern', Estes fits the pattern of 19th-century surname-as-first-name choices. Because it never ranked among the top names, its one-in-N ratio cannot be calculated, and no top states have recorded notable usage. For parents seeking a truly uncommon name with a vintage feel and a straightforward pronunciation, Estes offers a distinctive option rooted in English surname traditions.
Estes is believed to originate as an English surname, likely a variant of East or Eastes, referring to someone who lived to the east of a settlement or who came from the east. As a given name, it came into rare use in the late 19th century, peaking around 1893, and has remained uncommon since. Its use as a first name may have been influenced by surnames used as given names, a common practice in English-speaking countries.
Sibling names for Estes
Names that share Estes's style, for a brother or sister.
