Declining since 1986, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Stan since 1914
Babies named Stan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 58 |
| 1920s | 182 |
| 1930s | 573 |
| 1940s | 1,617 |
| 1950s | 2,368 |
| 1960s | 2,304 |
| 1970s | 601 |
| 1980s | 353 |
| 1990s | 167 |
| 2000s | 96 |
| 2010s | 113 |
| 2020s | 48 |
Meaning & origin
Stan is a concise, sturdy name that saw its greatest popularity in the mid-20th century. According to U.S. Social Security data, Stan peaked in 1959 at rank 501, with over 400 births that year. Since 1986, its usage has steadily declined, landing at a rank of 9,714 in 2024 with just 949 boys named Stan. The name's trajectory reflects a broader trend away from short, familiar nicknames as given names. Despite falling numbers, Stan's straightforward sound and vintage charm keep it recognizable. It first appeared in official records in 1914, a period when many short forms began to be used independently.
Stan originated as a short form of the medieval English surname Stanley, which itself derives from Old English 'stan' (stone) and 'leah' (clearing or meadow). The surname referred to someone who lived near a stony clearing. As an independent given name, Stan emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, where it was often used as a standalone name or as a nickname for Stanley.
Where Stan 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.
“Stan” around the world
Where Stan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
60
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Stan
Sibling names for Stan
Names that share Stan's style, for a brother or sister.
