Able
Every Able since 1912 — 1,115 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Able
Able is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,046 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1912, 1,115 American babies have been named Able. Its peak came in 2014, when 45 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Able stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Able year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #5,046 |
| 2024 | 18 | #5,242 |
| 2023 | 14 | #6,223 |
| 2022 | 33 | #3,465 |
| 2021 | 31 | #3,583 |
| 2020 | 30 | #3,571 |
| 2019 | 22 | #4,483 |
| 2018 | 35 | #3,241 |
| 2017 | 34 | #3,313 |
| 2016 | 40 | #2,936 |
| 2015 | 41 | #2,864 |
| 2014 | 45 | #2,661 |
| 2013 | 41 | #2,804 |
| 2012 | 33 | #3,299 |
| 2011 | 33 | #3,310 |
| 2010 | 22 | #4,367 |
| 2009 | 24 | #4,160 |
| 2008 | 19 | #4,901 |
| 2007 | 26 | #3,894 |
| 2006 | 14 | #5,787 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5,285 |
| 2004 | 14 | #5,495 |
| 2003 | 12 | #5,879 |
| 2002 | 9 | #7,057 |
| 2001 | 11 | #6,014 |
| 2000 | 16 | #4,575 |
| 1995 | 10 | #5,504 |
| 1990 | 8 | #5,827 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 13 | #3,256 |
| 1975 | 13 | #2,903 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 9 | #2,871 |
| 1955 | 6 | #3,506 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 8 | #3,022 |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,459 |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Able in 2025?
Able ranked #5,046 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Able?
1,115 babies have been named Able in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Able most popular?
Able peaked in 2014, when 45 newborns received the name.
Is Able a boy or girl name?
Able is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Able rising or falling?
Able is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.