Declining since 1999, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Race since 1954
Babies named Race per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 41 |
| 1960s | 39 |
| 1970s | 30 |
| 1980s | 114 |
| 1990s | 352 |
| 2000s | 532 |
| 2010s | 245 |
| 2020s | 58 |
Meaning & origin
Race is a rare modern English given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1954. It saw a modest peak in 2002, when it ranked higher than in recent years, but has since declined in use. By 2025, it ranked 6,803rd in the U.S. popularity list, given to roughly 1 in every 142,340 newborn boys. The name has not been strongly associated with any particular region, and its top states of usage have shifted over time. While the name's exact origin is uncertain, it likely developed from an English surname, lending it a sleek, one-syllable, surname-as-first-name quality that fits with similar modern choices like Chase or Blake. Its meaning may evoke notions of speed or competition, but this is speculative. Due to its rarity, Race remains an unconventional choice that stands out without being entirely unfamiliar.
The name Race is a modern English given name, likely derived from the surname Race. The surname has multiple possible origins: it may be a variant of the medieval personal name Radice (from the Old English 'ræd' meaning 'counsel'), or a topographic name for someone who lived by a swift stream (from Middle English 'race' meaning 'rapid current'). As a given name, it first appeared in the United States in the mid-20th century, possibly influenced by the word 'race' meaning speed or competition. Its usage has remained rare, peaking in the early 2000s.
Sibling names for Race
Names that share Race's style, for a brother or sister.
