A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of George since 1880
Babies named George per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, George's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 47,651 |
| 1890s | 43,358 |
| 1900s | 43,589 |
| 1910s | 176,609 |
| 1920s | 261,945 |
| 1930s | 192,289 |
| 1940s | 209,013 |
| 1950s | 181,031 |
| 1960s | 113,023 |
| 1970s | 64,757 |
| 1980s | 45,712 |
| 1990s | 35,246 |
| 2000s | 28,006 |
| 2010s | 28,407 |
| 2020s | 16,661 |
Meaning & origin
George is a name with deep historical roots that has experienced a notable revival in recent decades. It first appears in the U.S. Social Security records in 1880, which is the earliest year of data collection, and it achieved its peak rank of number 1 in that same year. It subsequently declined gradually through the 20th century, reaching its lowest point in 2010 when its trajectory began to rise again. This steady ascent has brought the name to a current rank of 126 in 2025, with roughly 1 in every 600 boys receiving the name. The name is especially favored in the District of Columbia, Vermont, and New Hampshire, where it ranks highest among the states. Whether drawn to its royal associations, its reliable classic sound, or its simple earthy meaning, American parents have returned to George with renewed interest, making it a compelling choice for those who value tradition without feeling outdated.
George derives from the Greek name Γεώργιος (Georgios), composed of the elements γῆ (ge) meaning 'earth' and ἔργον (ergon) meaning 'work' or 'worker', thus signifying a farmer or tiller of the soil. The name was introduced to Western Europe through the veneration of Saint George, a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyred for his faith, whose legend of slaying a dragon made him a patron saint of England and a popular figure across Christendom during the medieval period. It was brought to Britain by the Normans and became widely used among English royalty and commoners alike, later emerging as a fixture among early American colonists and enduring as a classic given name through centuries of recorded history.
Where George 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.
“George” around the world
Where George lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
49
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#4
in 2025
Quebec
29
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#24
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Georgie, Jordy, Geordie, Jory
Variants: Georg, Jorge, Giorgio, Georgios, Georgius, Jörg, Juris, Seoirse, Juri, Georges, Georgy, Jorgen, Jörn
Sibling names for George
Names that share George's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Margaret, Eleanor, Dorothy, Alice, Marie, Audrey, Bette, Charley, Dorothea, Edna, Elinor, Elisabeth, Erma, Harriet, Harriett, Hattie, Helen, Helena, Jeannette, June, Lillie, Lizzie, Mamie, Mavis, Nellie, Pauline, Rosie, Virginia, Annetta, Augusta, Bettye, Catharine, Clair, Eleni, Eugenie, Fanny, Fredericka, Georganne, Georgeanna, Gretta, Hellen, Janette, Jenette, Kathern, Maebelle, Maida, Margret, Marry, Marybelle, Maude, May, Mittie, Mollie, Rosalee, Tena, Virgia, Bell, Delories, Dorthea, Elenore, Elna, Emmer, Emogene, Eveline, France, Fredda, Frederica, Georganna, Georgene, Georgetta, Georgiann, Gerrie, Grayce, Henretta, Irine, Janett, Jeane, Jeannetta, Joannie, Joye, Lady, Leonia, Lilla, Louanna, Madlyn, Manda, Marge, Margrett, Maryan, Maryland, Maye, Mazie, Pippa, Rossie, Ruthe, Sadye, Theressa, Tomie, Virgina, Willia, Allyne, Alyne, Anice, Babara, Beryle, Besse, Catherin, Cathern, Ceil, Charle, Cicily, Clarabell, Clarinda, Clydia, Dorothe, Dorothie, Ellinor, Elnore, Ethlyn, Eufemia, Evah, Evangelia, Francies, Georgeanne, Georgena, Georgian, Helyn, Idabelle, Jeannett, Jennetta, Jessye, Jone, Joretta, Jorgia, Lorayne, Magaret, Maisey, Mame, Margeret, Margert, Margreat, Margrette, Marjie, Marrie, Myrta, Nance, Nelli, Phylliss, Renie, Robina, Rosalea, Rozelle, Rozena, Sallye, Shella, Valrie, Windsor, Youlanda, Aleatha, Betha, Carrolyn, Catheryne, Clarabel, Columbia, Dimitria, Dorothye, Edithe, Edla, Ellan, Ellenore, Ellon, Elsye, Evva, Florance, Georgana, Gwendolyne, Harryette, Hellena, Henritta, Hermie, Idamae, Jackline, Jeania, Justa, Lucylle, Mabell, Man, Maragret, Margarie, Maryella, Matha, Mazelle, Murial, Normajean, Rosamary, Rosene, Rubby, Rubyann, Saidee, Sallee, Shirly, Susa, Thresia, Victoriana, Eithel, Merie, Pallie, Rosell, Annye, Armine, Avice, Barbee, Bessy, Bessye, Bettey, Bitha, Bobetta, Catherene, Charlottie, Chrisoula, Christean, Dorethia, Dorice, Dorothia, Doryce, Eleaner, Elizabth, Elynore, Eunie, Flornce, Freada, Helyne, Hopie, Inice, Jeanita, Joeanne, Joreen, Jorita, Kyriaki, Leaner, Leanor, Lil, Lillan, Lillar, Lillion, Loie, Louiza, Lousie, Lysbeth, Marg, Margeart, Margerie, Margree, Marrian, Mayre, Merriel, Nel, Olivene, Posy, Rether, Rosamae, Rosemae, Rosemaria, Ruthia, Tacie, Viriginia, Walta
Brothers: Henry, Charles, Edward, William, Arthur, Alfred, Archie, Frank, Franklin, Fred, Fredrick, Harry, Jack, Johnie, Laurence, Lawrence, Lewis, Louis, Philip, Ray, Thomas, Wallace, Walter, Chas, Edmund, Edson, Franklyn, Frederic, Gorge, Judson, Little, Russel, Toney, Arther, Athanasios, Author, Authur, Bartley, Benard, Demetrios, General, Green, Henery, Johney, Junious, Konstantinos, Merton, Phillips, Richmond, Vasilios, Wiliam, Willaim, Willam, Young, Arthor, Aurthur, Boy, Bright, Carlous, Carlus, Charls, Constantinos, Dimitris, Donold, Eldrick, Eliga, Hansford, Harrie, Hobson, Johnney, Larence, Perley, Pleas, Roberts, Robt, Rodgers, Sabas, Spiros, Thedore, Thomes, Watt, Yannis, Yianni, York, Angelos, Aurther, Auther, Bond, Chales, Chrles, Clements, Flem, Fread, Fredick, Gladstone, Orley, Press, Ralston, Richad, Sims, Stelios, Vasilis, Willson, Williom, Abanoub, Bunyan, Capers, Charels, Charlis, Crit, Demetres, Drury, Fredderick, Harvy, Julies, Lc, Nicholaos, Nickolaos, Nikolis, Ogle, Richards, Rodert, Savalas, Thomos, Thoms, Thos, Wing
Names like George
Names whose popularity has moved with George's over the last 50 years.
