Rising since 1988, #286 for girls today.
Popularity of Meadow since 1914
Babies named Meadow per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 169 |
| 1980s | 74 |
| 1990s | 138 |
| 2000s | 3,025 |
| 2010s | 3,978 |
| 2020s | 4,947 |
Meaning & origin
Meadow is a nature name that has seen a remarkable resurgence in recent decades. First recorded in 1914, it fell out of common use before re-emerging in the late 20th century. Its modern trajectory has been sharply rising since 1988, with its peak year so far being 2025, when it ranked 286th nationally. The name is particularly popular in Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Maine, reflecting a preference for pastoral, earthy names in those regions. With a 1-in-1,491 frequency, Meadow remains a distinctive yet accessible choice for parents drawn to the tranquility of the natural world.
Meadow derives directly from the Old English word 'mædwe,' meaning a field or grassland. It emerged as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, part of a trend of nature-inspired names. The name has steadily gained popularity since the late 1980s, reflecting a broader cultural appreciation for natural and serene imagery.
Where Meadow is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Meadow” around the world
Where Meadow lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
20
babies in 2025
New Zealand
17
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mead, Doe, Mimi
Sibling names for Meadow
Names that share Meadow's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Willow, Hazel, Ivy, Lily, Rose, Harbor, Raine, Sequoia, Shasta, Teal, Tuesday, Harvest, Island, Nature, Prairie, Saffron, Tenaya, Vail, Valley, Genever, Katniss, Kestrel, Fantasy, Harbour, Linnet, Riverly, Teale
Brothers: River, Forest, Sage, Lark, Heath, Bridger, Shepherd, Oakland, Summit, Glade, Steel, Stonewall, Zealand, Brighten, Covey, Brookes, Field, Grove, Kodiak
Names like Meadow
Names whose popularity has moved with Meadow's over the last 50 years.
