Rising since 2012, #2,421 for boys today.
Popularity of Oakes since 2012
Babies named Oakes per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 181 |
Meaning & origin
Oakes is a rare English surname-turned-first name that has seen a modest rise in use since first being recorded as a given name in 2012. As of 2025, it ranked 2,421, with approximately 1 in 30,501 newborns receiving the name in its peak year. The name is most popular in Kentucky and Tennessee, reflecting a pattern of nature-inspired surnames gaining traction in the American South during the 2020s. Its straightforward sound and arboreal associations align with broader naming trends favoring oak-related names like Oakley and Oaklyn.
Oakes originated as an English surname derived from a place name referring to oak trees, from Old English āc 'oak' plus the plural suffix -es. It transitioned to occasional use as a given name in the 21st century, fitting the trend of using surnames as first names.
Where Oakes is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Oakes
Names that share Oakes's style, for a brother or sister.
