Rising since 1986, #662 for boys today.
Popularity of Layne since 1918
Babies named Layne per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 7 |
| 1920s | 0 | 35 |
| 1930s | 6 | 94 |
| 1940s | 95 | 233 |
| 1950s | 267 | 882 |
| 1960s | 178 | 1,025 |
| 1970s | 182 | 548 |
| 1980s | 501 | 532 |
| 1990s | 881 | 1,554 |
| 2000s | 1,038 | 3,109 |
| 2010s | 1,024 | 3,869 |
| 2020s | 1,507 | 2,467 |
Meaning & origin
Layne first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1918, but it remained a rarity for decades. Its trajectory began rising in 1986, and by 2021 it reached its peak rank. As of 2025, it sits at rank 662, with 1 in every 4,126 newborns receiving the name. The states where Layne is most common are Wyoming, West Virginia, and New Hampshire. The name's modern feel and unisex appeal have likely contributed to its steady growth, as parents increasingly favor names that are both familiar and distinctive.
Layne is a modern coinage, likely arising as a variant of the English surname and given name Lane. Lane itself derives from Middle English 'lane' meaning a narrow road or path, but Layne's adoption as a first name is primarily a 20th-century phenomenon, possibly influenced by the similar-sounding names Elaine and Delaney. Its popularity has grown steadily since the 1980s, particularly for girls, though it remains in use for both sexes.
Where Layne 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.
“Layne” around the world
Where Layne lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lay
Sibling names for Layne
Names that share Layne's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Layne
Names whose popularity has moved with Layne's over the last 50 years.
