boys' name · peaked 1924

Arnold

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Every Arnold since 1880 — 104,396 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.631.251.882.518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,477
among boys
Babies in 2025
120
named Arnold
Peak year
1924
2,031 babies
All-time total
104,396
since 1880

The story of Arnold

Arnold is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,477 in 2025 with 120 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 104,396 American babies have been named Arnold. Its peak came in 1924, when 2,031 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

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 Arnold stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Arnold year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 120 #1,477
2024 99 #1,687
2023 105 #1,640
2022 118 #1,524
2021 112 #1,556
2020 88 #1,744
2019 115 #1,487
2018 103 #1,593
2017 120 #1,433
2016 98 #1,629
2015 95 #1,657
2014 81 #1,828
2013 97 #1,589
2012 88 #1,713
2011 113 #1,449
2010 90 #1,698
2009 125 #1,368
2008 127 #1,349
2007 137 #1,277
2006 133 #1,255
2005 153 #1,076
2004 191 #901
2003 213 #822
2002 180 #898
2001 219 #776
2000 218 #760
1995 236 #692
1990 327 #561
1985 193 #634
1980 276 #510
1975 321 #445
1970 5 #8,064 569 #332
1965 5 #6,599 945 #241
1960 9 #4,458 1,201 #231
1955 7 #4,767 1,315 #197
1950 5 #5,342 1,508 #166
1945 5 #4,597 1,407 #147
1940 12 #2,432 1,581 #118
1935 7 #3,445 1,883 #103
1930 11 #2,699 1,948 #98
1925 14 #2,497 1,972 #95
1920 9 #3,358 1,911 #91
1915 11 #2,548 1,691 #91
1910 258 #126
1905 144 #146
1900 122 #171
1895 96 #163
1890 52 #229
1885 33 #290
1880 37 #276

Famous people named Arnold

  1. Arnold Schwarzenegger Actor · b. 1947
  2. Arnold Schoenberg Composer · 1874–1951
  3. Arnold J. Toynbee Historian · 1889–1975
  4. Arnold Böcklin Painter · 1827–1901
  5. Arnold Sommerfeld Physicist · 1868–1951

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Arnold mean?

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How popular is the name Arnold in 2025?

Arnold ranked #1,477 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 120 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Arnold?

104,396 babies have been named Arnold in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Arnold most popular?

Arnold peaked in 1924, when 2,031 newborns received the name.

Is Arnold a boy or girl name?

Arnold is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Arnold rising or falling?

Arnold is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Arnold?

Well-known people named Arnold include Arnold Schwarzenegger (actor), Arnold Schoenberg (composer), Arnold J. Toynbee (historian).

Names like Arnold

Compare Arnold with similar names →