A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hart since 1888
Babies named Hart per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hart's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 6 |
| 1890s | 0 | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 | 57 |
| 1920s | 0 | 73 |
| 1930s | 0 | 81 |
| 1940s | 0 | 43 |
| 1950s | 0 | 66 |
| 1960s | 0 | 49 |
| 1970s | 0 | 38 |
| 1980s | 7 | 88 |
| 1990s | 0 | 103 |
| 2000s | 0 | 118 |
| 2010s | 33 | 211 |
| 2020s | 48 | 273 |
Meaning & origin
Hart is an English surname turned given name, derived from the Old English word for a stag. It first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1888, a time when surname names were gaining favor. That year also marks Hart's peak rank of 2,390th, but after a long period of obscurity, it has been rising steadily since 1990. In 2025, it was given to roughly 1 in 29,966 boys, with notable popularity in Colorado and California. The name's revival aligns with a modern taste for short, nature-inspired surnames. Hart fits a trend of single-syllable names that feel both classic and fresh.
Hart originates as an English surname derived from the Old English 'heorot', meaning 'stag' or 'male deer'. It was likely used as a nickname for someone who resembled the animal in some way, or as a topographic name for someone living near a hill frequented by deer. As a given name, Hart emerged in the late 19th century, part of the Victorian revival of surname names. It has seen a modest resurgence in recent decades, particularly in the United States.
Where Hart is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Harry
Variants: Heart, Harte
Sibling names for Hart
Names that share Hart's style, for a brother or sister.
