A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Smith since 1880
Babies named Smith per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Smith's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 181 |
| 1890s | 143 |
| 1900s | 168 |
| 1910s | 481 |
| 1920s | 559 |
| 1930s | 376 |
| 1940s | 277 |
| 1950s | 199 |
| 1960s | 164 |
| 1970s | 131 |
| 1980s | 220 |
| 1990s | 204 |
| 2000s | 394 |
| 2010s | 1,259 |
| 2020s | 719 |
Meaning & origin
Smith, originally an English occupational surname, has a distinct trajectory as a first name. First recorded in 1880 and peaking in 1885, it fell out of common use until a revival began in 1991. By 2025, it reached rank 1477 with a frequency of 1 in 14,234 births. Its usage has been most concentrated in Southern states like North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina. The name exemplifies the enduring American trend of adopting surnames as given names, maintaining a straightforward, strong quality.
Smith is an occupational surname from Old English 'smiþ', meaning a worker in metal, particularly a blacksmith. It became adopted as a given name in the 19th century, following the fashion for surnames as first names, especially in the United States.
Where Smith 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: Smitty
Variants: Smyth, Smythe
Sibling names for Smith
Names that share Smith's style, for a brother or sister.
