A 1950s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Garth since 1906
Babies named Garth per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 395 |
| 1920s | 765 |
| 1930s | 676 |
| 1940s | 850 |
| 1950s | 1,603 |
| 1960s | 1,853 |
| 1970s | 1,390 |
| 1980s | 774 |
| 1990s | 956 |
| 2000s | 156 |
| 2010s | 138 |
| 2020s | 100 |
Meaning & origin
Garth reached its peak popularity in 1954, when it ranked 8910 among U.S. baby names. Since 2012, it has been rising in usage, although it remains an uncommon choice. The name's earliest recorded use in the U.S. dates to 1906, making it a modestly vintage option. Garth is typically considered a masculine name and is of Scandinavian and Welsh origin, meaning 'garden' or 'enclosure.' Its revival in recent years aligns with a broader trend of rediscovering mid-century names.
Garth derives from the Old Norse 'garðr', meaning 'enclosure' or 'yard', and is also a Welsh word for a garden or field. It developed as a given name in English-speaking countries in the 20th century, initially as a transferred use of surnames from place names. The name saw a rise in popularity in the 1950s but has since become less common.
Where Garth 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gar
Sibling names for Garth
Names that share Garth's style, for a brother or sister.
