A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hiram since 1880
Babies named Hiram per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hiram's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 825 |
| 1890s | 544 |
| 1900s | 433 |
| 1910s | 1,410 |
| 1920s | 1,830 |
| 1930s | 1,120 |
| 1940s | 1,043 |
| 1950s | 1,201 |
| 1960s | 1,106 |
| 1970s | 989 |
| 1980s | 765 |
| 1990s | 712 |
| 2000s | 890 |
| 2010s | 974 |
| 2020s | 614 |
Meaning & origin
Hiram has a distinguished biblical pedigree but has moved from common use to rare revival status. After ranking as high as 104th in 1881 (its peak year), the name fell out of regular use for much of the 20th century. However, since 1991 it has been rising again, and it now sees its strongest usage in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Its revival likely reflects a broader interest in Old Testament names and vintage choices. With a current 1-in-16,583 frequency, Hiram remains uncommon but has the weight of historical and religious tradition behind it.
Hiram is a name of disputed etymology, most often traced to the Hebrew חִירָם (ḥīrām), a shortened form of אֲחִירָם (ʼAḥīrām), meaning 'my brother is exalted' or 'brother of the lofty one.' In the Hebrew Bible, Hiram was the king of Tyre who supplied materials and artisans for Solomon's Temple. The name was adopted by Puritans in the 17th century and remained common in the United States through the 19th century, especially in the South.
Where Hiram 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.
“Hiram” around the world
Where Hiram lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hy, Hi
Variants: Hirom, Huyram
Sibling names for Hiram
Names that share Hiram's style, for a brother or sister.
