Holding steady.
Popularity of Humphrey since 1880
Babies named Humphrey per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Humphrey's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 50 |
| 1890s | 32 |
| 1900s | 29 |
| 1910s | 137 |
| 1920s | 151 |
| 1930s | 97 |
| 1940s | 101 |
| 1950s | 142 |
| 1960s | 100 |
| 1970s | 57 |
| 1980s | 56 |
| 1990s | 38 |
| 2000s | 25 |
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 29 |
Meaning & origin
Humphrey is a name with medieval English roots, brought to England by the Normans and derived from Germanic elements meaning 'bear cub' and 'peace'. Its peak in the United States was in 1893, when it ranked 456th, but it has since fallen out of common use, not appearing among the top 1000 names for decades. Despite its rarity, the name has a stable trajectory and avoids the sharp declines of some period names. It is most associated with the early records era, where first recorded instances date to 1880. While no longer a common choice, Humphrey retains a classic, sturdy quality rooted in its historical usage.
Humphrey derives from the Old French name Humfroi, which itself comes from the Germanic elements hun 'bear cub' and frid 'peace'. The name was introduced to England by the Normans and was common in medieval times, notably borne by a 9th-century saint and by several English nobles. Its use declined after the Middle Ages but saw a modest revival in the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hum, Hump, Humph
Sibling names for Humphrey
Names that share Humphrey's style, for a brother or sister.
