Holding steady.
Popularity of Metro since 1908
Babies named Metro per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Metro's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 249 |
| 1920s | 187 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 18 |
| 1950s | 30 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Metro is a rare and unconventional given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1908. Its peak usage occurred in 1911, but the name has never approached mainstream popularity. It remains a virtually unique choice, with only sporadic appearances across decades. The name likely reflects early 20th-century fascination with cities and modernity, possibly inspired by the rise of metropolitan transit or the 1910s revival of short, coined names. Its trajectory shows a steady but minimal presence, never rising above a handful of births per year. While it never saw enough use to achieve a rank or 1-in-N ratio, its history as a rare 20th-century coinage makes it a distinctive option for parents seeking an unusual name. No top states have recorded enough instances to provide geographic trends.
The name Metro is a modern coinage, likely derived from the Greek word 'metropolis' meaning 'mother city' or simply from the prefix 'metro-' meaning 'city'. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1908 and saw a brief peak in the 1910s, though it has remained extremely rare. Its use as a given name may have been influenced by the early 20th-century expansion of urban railways and the concept of metropolitan living. There is no evidence of historical usage in any language prior to the 20th century.
Sibling names for Metro
Names that share Metro's style, for a brother or sister.
