Declining since 2022, #980 for boys today.
Popularity of Loyal since 1882
Babies named Loyal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 | 77 |
| 1900s | 0 | 114 |
| 1910s | 23 | 614 |
| 1920s | 27 | 851 |
| 1930s | 5 | 594 |
| 1940s | 0 | 502 |
| 1950s | 0 | 254 |
| 1960s | 0 | 206 |
| 1970s | 0 | 97 |
| 1980s | 0 | 76 |
| 1990s | 0 | 43 |
| 2000s | 16 | 155 |
| 2010s | 195 | 584 |
| 2020s | 234 | 1,767 |
Meaning & origin
Loyal is a rare virtue name that has seen a modest uptick in the 21st century. First recorded in 1882, it has never reached high popularity, peaking at 981st in 2022. By 2025, it fell to 980th, with a birth rate of about 1 in every 7,331 boys. Trajectory data show a falling trend since 2022. Its strongest state presence is in Georgia, Louisiana, and Maryland. While not common, Loyal fits within a cluster of English word names like Justice and Noble, appealing to parents seeking a name with strong ethical connotations.
Loyal derives from the English word meaning 'faithful,' from Middle French 'loial,' ultimately from Latin 'legalis' (legal). Though used as a virtue name occasionally in earlier centuries, it emerged as a given name primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often as a surname transferred to the first name. Its modern use gained traction in the United States from the 2000s onward.
Where Loyal 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: Loy
Sibling names for Loyal
Names that share Loyal's style, for a brother or sister.
