Declining since 1991, #1,778 for boys today.
Popularity of Irving since 1880
Babies named Irving per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Irving's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 654 |
| 1890s | 903 |
| 1900s | 1,524 |
| 1910s | 10,737 |
| 1920s | 11,898 |
| 1930s | 4,239 |
| 1940s | 2,933 |
| 1950s | 2,403 |
| 1960s | 1,466 |
| 1970s | 883 |
| 1980s | 1,204 |
| 1990s | 1,928 |
| 2000s | 1,770 |
| 2010s | 1,240 |
| 2020s | 582 |
Meaning & origin
Irving is a name with Scottish origins, tied to the River Irvine and brought into use as a given name in the 19th century. It reached peak popularity in 1911 at rank 93, but has since declined steadily, with a trajectory of falling usage since 1991. In 2025, it ranked 1,778th, with a frequency of about 1 in 18,979 births. States with notable usage include California, North Carolina, and Texas. The name has a vintage feel, fitting alongside other early-20th-century favorites.
Irving is widely believed to be a variant of Irvine, a Scottish surname referring to the River Irvine in Ayrshire. The river's name is thought to come from Brythonic elements meaning 'green water'. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world as a given name in the 19th century, partly influenced by the American writer Washington Irving.
Where Irving 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: Irv
Sibling names for Irving
Names that share Irving's style, for a brother or sister.
