Declining since 2018, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Negan since 2016
Babies named Negan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 130 |
| 2020s | 158 |
Meaning & origin
Negan emerged as a given name in 2016 following the debut of the charismatic villain on The Walking Dead television series. In its first recorded year, the name saw immediate use, peaking in 2017 with its highest rank. Since 2018, its popularity has declined, reflecting the natural fade of pop-culture inspired names. As of 2025, it ranks 4,539th with a frequency of 1 in 77,640 births, indicating a very rare choice. The name is not concentrated in any specific states and has not generated variants or nicknames, remaining closely tied to its fictional origin. Its trajectory suggests it will likely continue to decline in use as the cultural moment recedes.
Negan first appeared in the comic book series The Walking Dead (2003) and gained wider recognition with the television adaptation (2010). The name was likely invented by creator Robert Kirkman without a specific meaning, possibly as a variant or blend of other names. Its use as a given name began in 2016 after the character's introduction on the show.
“Negan” around the world
Where Negan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Negan
Names that share Negan's style, for a brother or sister.
