Rising since 2006, #3,379 for boys today.
Popularity of Whittaker since 2002
Babies named Whittaker per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 157 |
| 2020s | 155 |
Meaning & origin
Whittaker entered the U.S. baby name charts in 2002 as a rare surname revival. As of 2025, it ranks 3,379, with a 1-in-50,238 birth rate, and has been steadily rising since 2006. Its peak year so far is 2025, reflecting consistent growth in usage. Though its top states are not recorded, the name follows the broader trend of surname-inspired first names gaining traction. Whittaker remains uncommon but increasingly recognized, appealing to parents seeking a distinguished, nature-linked surname with a crisp, modern sound.
Whittaker likely derives from the English surname Whitaker, which itself comes from Old English hwīt 'white' and æcer 'cultivated field' or ǣcer 'field, acre'. The name may have originally denoted someone who lived by a white field or a field used for a specific purpose. As a given name, it is a modern revival, appearing in the United States in the early 2000s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Whit, Whitt
Sibling names for Whittaker
Names that share Whittaker's style, for a brother or sister.
