Declining since 1985, #5,861 for boys today.
Popularity of Norris since 1880
Babies named Norris per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 120 |
| 1890s | 146 |
| 1900s | 233 |
| 1910s | 1,464 |
| 1920s | 2,588 |
| 1930s | 2,439 |
| 1940s | 2,277 |
| 1950s | 2,620 |
| 1960s | 1,710 |
| 1970s | 962 |
| 1980s | 755 |
| 1990s | 500 |
| 2000s | 284 |
| 2010s | 247 |
| 2020s | 111 |
Meaning & origin
Norris is a surname-turned-given-name with a clear northern heritage. First recorded in the U.S. in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1924, during an era when surnames as first names were fashionable. Since 1985, its use has been steadily falling. In 2025, the name ranked 5,861st, with approximately 1 in 113,872 newborns receiving the name, making it an uncommon choice today. The name's trajectory reflects a broader decline of early-20th-century surname names. Norris has not seen a revival in recent decades and is used much less frequently than in its heyday.
Norris is an English surname derived from the Anglo-French 'norreis' meaning 'northerner' or 'from the north'. It originally denoted someone who had migrated from northern England or Scotland. As a given name, it came into occasional use in the 19th century, likely influenced by the surname tradition.
Where Norris 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: Nor
Variants: Norreys
Sibling names for Norris
Names that share Norris's style, for a brother or sister.
