A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Rasmus since 1888
Babies named Rasmus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Rasmus's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 17 |
| 2010s | 68 |
| 2020s | 56 |
Meaning & origin
Rasmus entered U.S. baby name records in 1888, its peak year, ranking #6803. At the time, it was given to a handful of boys nationwide. The name then faded from common use for over a century before reemerging with a rising trajectory since 2007. In 2025, the most recent data shows Rasmus at rank 6803, with approximately 1 in 142,340 newborn boys receiving this name. Its revival reflects a growing interest in classic Scandinavian names, though it remains rare on a national scale. While no top states stand out for this name, its steady climb correlates with the return of Nordic names in American culture, fueled by a broader appreciation for international and historically rich names.
Rasmus is a Scandinavian short form of the Greek name Erasmus, derived from the Greek word 'erasmios', meaning 'beloved' or 'desired'. The name Erasmus was borne by the famous Dutch Renaissance humanist and scholar Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam. In Scandinavia, the short form Rasmus has been in use since the 19th century and is particularly common in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rasse, Rass
Sibling names for Rasmus
Names that share Rasmus's style, for a brother or sister.
