Holding steady.
Popularity of York since 1880
Babies named York per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1971, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, York's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 23 |
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 89 |
| 1920s | 78 |
| 1930s | 48 |
| 1940s | 65 |
| 1950s | 71 |
| 1960s | 142 |
| 1970s | 97 |
| 1980s | 95 |
| 1990s | 69 |
| 2000s | 40 |
| 2010s | 75 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
York is a rare given name with a strong geographic and historical identity. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, and its peak year was 1881, though even then it remained uncommon. The name has been given sporadically ever since, with a stable but very low level of use. In 2025, its one-in-N rate was effectively zero as it fell below the threshold for data reporting. York has never been associated with any U.S. top state, reflecting its rarity across the country. While it never achieved national popularity, it carries a dignified air from its connection to the city of York and the House of York in English history.
York is derived from the Old English 'Eoforwic', itself from the Latin 'Eboracum', likely meaning 'place of the yew trees'. The name gained use as a surname and occasionally as a given name, often inspired by the city of York or the English royal House of York.
Sibling names for York
Names that share York's style, for a brother or sister.
