Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Ralston since 1910
Babies named Ralston per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ralston's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 96 |
| 1920s | 131 |
| 1930s | 81 |
| 1940s | 56 |
| 1950s | 24 |
| 1960s | 58 |
| 1970s | 35 |
| 1980s | 92 |
| 1990s | 113 |
| 2000s | 97 |
| 2010s | 107 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Ralston is a Scottish surname-turned-given name that saw its peak in 1911, when it ranked highest in U.S. usage. The name first appeared in Social Security records in 1910, and it has been in steady but sparse use since, with a stable trajectory. In 2025, Ralston remains a rare choice, with approximately 1 in 244,011 boys receiving the name. Its top states in early usage included Pennsylvania and New York, reflecting Scottish-American immigrant communities. The etymological link to 'Ralph's town' gives it a grounded, historical feel, though it remains uncommon compared to other surname names.
Ralston is a Scottish habitational surname derived from the place name Ralston in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The name means 'Ralph's town', from the Old English personal name Rædwulf (meaning 'red wolf') and tūn ('enclosure, settlement'). It began to be used as a given name in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ral, Rally, Rusty
Sibling names for Ralston
Names that share Ralston's style, for a brother or sister.
