A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Whitman since 1909
Babies named Whitman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2018, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Whitman's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 47 |
| 1920s | 36 |
| 1930s | 19 |
| 1940s | 22 |
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 18 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 33 |
| 1990s | 66 |
| 2000s | 155 |
| 2010s | 308 |
| 2020s | 167 |
Meaning & origin
Whitman is an English surname-turned-first-name with a literal meaning of 'white man,' derived from Old English 'hwit' and 'mann.' It first entered the U.S. baby name records in 1909, the same year it experienced its peak popularity at rank #3,450. After decades of decline, the name has been steadily rising again since 1985, reflecting a broader trend toward surname-style first names. Currently, Whitman has an incidence of about 1 in 51,760 births. Its strongest association is with Alabama, where it saw the most usage among top states. The name carries literary echoes from poet Walt Whitman, though it has never been widely common, maintaining a distinctive and modern feel.
Whitman is an English surname derived from the Old English elements 'hwit,' meaning white, and 'mann,' meaning man. It likely originated as a nickname for someone with fair hair or complexion, or as an occupational surname for a servant of a white-clad monk. As a given name, it has been used occasionally since the 19th century, partly influenced by the fame of poet Walt Whitman.
Where Whitman is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Whit
Variants: Whiteman
Sibling names for Whitman
Names that share Whitman's style, for a brother or sister.
