A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Red since 1888
Babies named Red per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2024, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Red's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 12 |
| 1910s | 79 |
| 1920s | 93 |
| 1930s | 23 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 64 |
| 2020s | 83 |
Meaning & origin
Red is a bold, monosyllabic color name with a long history as an English nickname and given name. First recorded in 1888, it reached its peak year of popularity in 1890, reflecting a late-Victorian taste for vivid word names. After declining for much of the 20th century, the name has been rising again since 2011, part of a modern revival of classic color names. Despite its rarity today with a rank of 5861 in 2025, Red retains a crisp, punchy appeal. It appears in no top states, indicating a diffuse, nationwide usage pattern, and its trajectory suggests a slow but steady comeback among parents seeking simple, distinctive vintage names.
Red derives from the Old English word 'rēad', meaning red, used since at least the 19th century as a nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. It later gained use as a given name, often chosen for its vivid color association.
Sibling names for Red
Names that share Red's style, for a brother or sister.
