Rising since 1994, #1,976 for boys today.
Popularity of Parks since 1892
Babies named Parks per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 91 |
| 1920s | 135 |
| 1930s | 73 |
| 1940s | 84 |
| 1950s | 66 |
| 1960s | 43 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 27 |
| 1990s | 27 |
| 2000s | 171 |
| 2010s | 400 |
| 2020s | 333 |
Meaning & origin
Parks is a surname-turned-given name that has been in use since at least 1892, when it first appeared in U.S. records. After a period of relative obscurity, it began a steady climb in popularity beginning in 1994, and by 2025 it reached its peak rank of 1976, with roughly 1 in every 22,183 newborn boys receiving the name. The name's strongest popularity has been in the states of Utah, Georgia, and Alabama, reflecting a modern preference for short, surname-style given names. Its straightforward sound and occupational origin give it a grounded, outdoorsy appeal without any elaborate meaning or cultural baggage.
Parks is an English surname transferred to given name use. It derives from the Middle English 'park', meaning an enclosed area of land for hunting or grazing. The surname originally identified a person who lived by such a park or who worked as a park keeper. As a given name, it follows the trend of using surnames as first names, particularly in the United States.
Where Parks is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Park
Sibling names for Parks
Names that share Parks's style, for a brother or sister.
