Declining since 2020, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Portland since 1958
Babies named Portland per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1964, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Portland's real moment was 2019.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 11 | 0 |
| 1960s | 67 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 10 |
| 2010s | 44 | 40 |
| 2020s | 50 | 43 |
Meaning & origin
Portland is an unusual place-name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1958. Its popularity peaked in 2019, and since 2020 its usage has been declining as a unisex choice. In 2025, only about 1 in 200,908 babies were named Portland, placing it at rank 10,917. The name has not been associated with any particular state, and it remains a rare but recognizable option for parents drawn to geographic names with a modern, understated feel.
Portland is a place name derived from Old English 'port' (harbor) and 'land' (land), referring to the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. As a given name, it has been used sparingly since the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the city of Portland, Oregon, and other place names. Its usage peaked in 2019, ranking around 10,917 with an estimated 1 in 200,908 babies given the name that year.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Port, Land
Sibling names for Portland
Names that share Portland's style, for a brother or sister.
