Rising since 1998, #2,284 for boys today.
Popularity of Flint since 1913
Babies named Flint per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Flint's real moment was 2017.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 49 |
| 1930s | 19 |
| 1940s | 8 |
| 1950s | 232 |
| 1960s | 429 |
| 1970s | 241 |
| 1980s | 222 |
| 1990s | 166 |
| 2000s | 181 |
| 2010s | 622 |
| 2020s | 420 |
Meaning & origin
Flint is a distinctive English name drawn from the hard mineral used by early humans for tools and later in flintlock firearms. Its use as a given name dates back to at least 1913, though it remained quite rare for most of the 20th century. The name has been on an upward trajectory since 1998, reaching its peak popularity in 2017. In 2025, Flint ranked 2,284th, with a 1-in-28,001 frequency among newborn boys. Its strongest appeal is in the state of Indiana, where it appears most often. Flint fits a trend of rugged, nature-inspired names like Clay, Stone, and Slate, and it carries a straightforward, strong feel without common nicknames or variants.
Flint is an English surname and given name taken directly from the word for a type of quartz used in prehistoric toolmaking and later in firearms (flintlock). As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely influenced by surnames and place names such as Flint, Michigan. Its use peaked in the 2010s.
Where Flint is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Flint
Names that share Flint's style, for a brother or sister.
