Rising since 1985, #2,056 for boys today.
Popularity of Lake since 1891
Babies named Lake per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 15 | 16 |
| 1900s | 16 | 0 |
| 1910s | 53 | 111 |
| 1920s | 39 | 149 |
| 1930s | 0 | 91 |
| 1940s | 5 | 72 |
| 1950s | 0 | 60 |
| 1960s | 0 | 38 |
| 1970s | 0 | 64 |
| 1980s | 0 | 96 |
| 1990s | 41 | 509 |
| 2000s | 92 | 629 |
| 2010s | 378 | 620 |
| 2020s | 298 | 532 |
Meaning & origin
Lake is a unisex nature name that draws directly from the English word for a large body of water. Its earliest recorded use as a given name in the United States dates to 1891, but it remained extremely rare for nearly a century. The name began a steady rise in popularity starting in 1985, climbing to a rank of 2056 in 2025, with approximately 1 in every 23,723 newborns receiving the name. It reached its highest popularity to date in 2024, reflecting a broader cultural turn toward earthy, minimalist names. The name is most popular in Texas, the top state for Lake. Its trajectory as a rising name since the 1980s suggests a modern preference for nouns as first names, alongside other landscape-inspired choices like River and Skye.
Lake is a topographic surname turned given name, derived from the English word for a large inland body of water. Its use as a first name emerged in the late 19th century, influenced by the broader trend of nature names. The name was first recorded in 1891 and has seen a notable resurgence since the 1980s.
Where Lake is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Lake
Names that share Lake's style, for a brother or sister.
