Holding steady.
Popularity of Read since 1914
Babies named Read per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1949, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Read's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 20 |
| 1920s | 16 |
| 1930s | 18 |
| 1940s | 42 |
| 1950s | 43 |
| 1960s | 27 |
| 1970s | 19 |
| 1980s | 29 |
| 1990s | 53 |
| 2000s | 31 |
| 2010s | 10 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Read is an exceedingly rare given name in the United States, with its first recorded appearance in 1914 according to Social Security data. However, the name has never achieved charting status, and its one-in-N rate is effectively incalculable due to extremely low annual births. The peak year for Read was its first year of recorded use, 1914, with a handful of instances, and the trajectory has been stable at near-zero usage ever since. The name has no recorded top states, reflecting its scattered, minimal adoption across the country. As a surname-derived first name, Read carries an understated, literary flavor, likely appealing to parents seeking a distinctive but familiar-sounding name with a straightforward pronunciation. Its rarity offers near-unique naming potential, though the spelling may invite confusion with the more common Reed.
Read is a very rare given name in the United States, almost certainly originating as a surname. The surname Read has multiple possible derivations: from Old English 'read' (red) denoting someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion, or from various place names such as Read in Lancashire. The surname is distinct from Reed (dwelling near reeds) but the two spellings have often been used interchangeably. As a first name, Read saw slight use in the early 20th century but never achieved widespread adoption.
Sibling names for Read
Names that share Read's style, for a brother or sister.
