Declining since 2020, #2,167 for boys today.
Popularity of Sir since 1967
Babies named Sir per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 11 |
| 1970s | 110 |
| 1980s | 212 |
| 1990s | 283 |
| 2000s | 384 |
| 2010s | 613 |
| 2020s | 559 |
Meaning & origin
Sir originated as a title of respect, but in the United States it has been adopted as a given name since at least 1967. Its use gained traction in the 2010s and peaked at rank #2,167 in 2021, though it has been declining since 2020. The name is most common in Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida. Its modern coinage likely reflects a tradition of using honorifics as first names, particularly within African American communities. The name's trajectory shows a recent fall from its peak, but it remains a distinctive choice.
Sir is derived from the English honorific title, which itself comes from Old French sire (from Latin senior, 'elder'). Its use as a given name is a modern American phenomenon, likely influenced by African American naming traditions that adopt titles or honorifics as first names.
Where Sir is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Sir
Names that share Sir's style, for a brother or sister.
