Declining since 2012, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of North since 1885
Babies named North per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2013, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, North's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 6 |
| 1890s | 0 | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 15 |
| 1930s | 0 | 7 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 33 |
| 2000s | 0 | 75 |
| 2010s | 23 | 141 |
| 2020s | 51 | 51 |
Meaning & origin
North is a directional word name that has seen sporadic use as a given name since the late 19th century, first recorded in 1885. Despite its early peak in that same year, the name never achieved widespread popularity. In 2025, North ranked 12,008th in the U.S., with an incidence of 1 in 341,615 newborns, indicating its rarity. Its trajectory has been falling since 2012, reflecting a broader trend away from novelty word names. The name has no strong ties to particular states, as its distribution is minimal. While historically rare, North gained cultural visibility through celebrity use, though its overall usage remains low. As a modern word name, its appeal lies in its simplicity and evocative geographic reference, appealing to parents seeking unconventional, minimalist names.
North derives from the Old English 'norþ', referring to the cardinal direction. As a given name, it was rare historically, primarily used as a surname or in reference to the geographic direction. The name gained modern attention largely due to celebrity usage, notably by Kim Kardashian and Kanye West for their daughter in 2013.
Sibling names for North
Names that share North's style, for a brother or sister.
