Rising since 1999, #3,240 for boys today.
Popularity of Townsend since 1914
Babies named Townsend per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 51 |
| 1920s | 70 |
| 1930s | 60 |
| 1940s | 49 |
| 1950s | 52 |
| 1960s | 28 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 44 |
| 1990s | 63 |
| 2000s | 94 |
| 2010s | 190 |
| 2020s | 158 |
Meaning & origin
Townsend is a rare surname-turned-first-name with gentle English roots. It first appeared on record in 1914 and has remained uncommon for over a century. In 2025, it ranked 3,240th nationally, with a frequency of 1 in 47,447 births, marking its peak year so far. The name has been slowly rising since 1999, suggesting a quiet resurgence among parents seeking distinctive, preppy-style surnames. Its top state is South Carolina, reflecting a Southern appeal. Townsend carries a crisp, two-syllable sound and a refined, understated charm that fits the modern taste for classic family names.
Townsend is an English surname transferred to given name use, derived from the Middle English phrase 'tounes ende', meaning 'the end of the town'. It originally referred to someone who lived at the outskirts of a settlement. As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, following the fashion of using surnames as first names.
Where Townsend is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Town, Towny
Sibling names for Townsend
Names that share Townsend's style, for a brother or sister.
