Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Sherwood since 1891
Babies named Sherwood per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 23 |
| 1900s | 49 |
| 1910s | 620 |
| 1920s | 1,010 |
| 1930s | 946 |
| 1940s | 986 |
| 1950s | 859 |
| 1960s | 464 |
| 1970s | 286 |
| 1980s | 157 |
| 1990s | 120 |
| 2000s | 56 |
| 2010s | 58 |
| 2020s | 37 |
Meaning & origin
Sherwood entered U.S. records in 1891, but its popularity peaked in 1938, during the height of the Robin Hood film and literary craze. Since 1985 the name has been in steady decline, and as of 2025 it no longer ranks among the 1000 most common boy names. The name's trajectory reflects its strong association with a specific era and place; while it has not seen a recent revival, Sherwood retains a literary and pastoral charm through its link to Sherwood Forest.
Sherwood is an English surname derived from a place name, itself from Old English 'scir' meaning 'bright' or 'shire' and 'wudu' meaning 'wood'. It is famously associated with Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, the legendary home of Robin Hood. As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States, and saw its peak popularity in the 1930s.
Where Sherwood 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Woody
Sibling names for Sherwood
Names that share Sherwood's style, for a brother or sister.
