Declining since 1985, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Lyman since 1880
Babies named Lyman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lyman's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 297 |
| 1890s | 284 |
| 1900s | 309 |
| 1910s | 1,336 |
| 1920s | 1,823 |
| 1930s | 1,233 |
| 1940s | 1,099 |
| 1950s | 800 |
| 1960s | 487 |
| 1970s | 308 |
| 1980s | 227 |
| 1990s | 146 |
| 2000s | 63 |
| 2010s | 108 |
| 2020s | 39 |
Meaning & origin
Lyman reached its peak popularity in 1882, ranking as the most common year for the name. Since 1985, however, its usage has been steadily declining, and it now ranks at 10,695 in 2025 with only about 1 in 284,679 newborns receiving the name. The trajectory indicates a name that has fallen out of mainstream favor, likely due to its vintage association. Despite its rarity, Lyman retains a sturdy, classic feel reminiscent of late 19th-century American naming patterns.
Lyman is an English surname transferred to given name use. It originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a meadow or pasture, from the Old English 'leah' (clearing, meadow) and 'mann' (man). The surname appears in early records, and by the 19th century it was adopted as a first name, particularly in the United States during the late 1800s.
Where Lyman 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: Ly
Sibling names for Lyman
Names that share Lyman's style, for a brother or sister.
