A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Milam since 1913
Babies named Milam per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2018, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Milam's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 19 |
| 1920s | 41 |
| 1930s | 29 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 14 |
| 2010s | 78 |
| 2020s | 43 |
Meaning & origin
Milam is an exceedingly uncommon American name that first appeared on the U.S. naming record in 1913, its peak year of use. After that initial blip, the name nearly vanished for decades, but it has been slowly rising again since 2005, suggesting a modest revival of interest in this short, surname-style name. In 2025, only about 1 in 189,786 boys received the name, placing it at rank 8,243. Its trajectory of gradual increase places it among a group of rare surname names that appeal to parents seeking something distinctive. Milam has no strong ties to any particular region of the United States. Its etymology remains uncertain, but its sound aligns with other modern, streamlined choices like Miles and Milo.
Milam first appeared as a given name in the early 20th century in the United States, likely derived from the surname Milam, which itself may be a variant of Milan. The surname Milam has English origins, possibly from a place name or a variant of the Irish name Millane. Its use as a first name is rare and primarily American, with a brief peak in 1913.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Miles, Milo
Variants: Milum, Milan
Sibling names for Milam
Names that share Milam's style, for a brother or sister.
