Declining since 2022, #3,513 for boys today.
Popularity of Ripken since 1997
Babies named Ripken per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 168 |
| 2020s | 235 |
Meaning & origin
First recorded in U.S. birth data in 1997, Ripken is a surname-style given name that rose briefly in popularity, with a peak in 2022 when it reached rank 3,513. Since then its usage has been falling, with 1 in 53,377 boys receiving the name in 2025. Its strongest association remains with the baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and the name has seen particular adoption in Texas.
Ripken is a surname that was adopted as a given name, likely inspired by baseball player Cal Ripken Jr. The surname itself is of German or Dutch origin, possibly a variant of Ripken or a topographic name. As a first name, it emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, gaining modest popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.
Where Ripken is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Ripken
Names that share Ripken's style, for a brother or sister.
