Rising since 1996, #267 for boys today.
Popularity of Saint since 1896
Babies named Saint per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 17 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 69 |
| 1920s | 117 |
| 1930s | 64 |
| 1940s | 66 |
| 1950s | 67 |
| 1960s | 12 |
| 1970s | 33 |
| 1980s | 36 |
| 1990s | 38 |
| 2000s | 129 |
| 2010s | 1,013 |
| 2020s | 5,622 |
Meaning & origin
Saint first appeared on U.S. records in 1896, but remained extremely rare for nearly a century. Its recent rise is dramatic: by 2025, it reached rank 267, with a 1 in 1328 incidence. The name's peak year is also 2025, reflecting accelerating growth. The trajectory shows rising use since 1996, especially in the District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Delaware. As a vocabulary name drawn from religious vocabulary, Saint joins a trend of aspirational virtue names, offering parents a direct statement of spiritual or ethical ideals. Its brevity and familiar sound make it accessible, while its sacred connotation gives it weight.
Saint derives from the Latin 'sanctus,' meaning 'consecrated, holy.' It entered English via Old French 'seint' and was used as a title for canonized individuals. As a given name, it emerged as a vocabulary name in the 19th century, likely influenced by the Puritan tradition of using virtue names. Its modern usage as a first name gained traction in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Where Saint is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Saint
Names that share Saint's style, for a brother or sister.
