Bear
Every Bear since 1975 — 3,356 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bear
Bear is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #853 in 2025 with 286 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1975, 3,356 American babies have been named Bear. Its peak came in 2022, when 332 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Bear stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bear year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 286 | #853 |
| 2024 | 302 | #826 |
| 2023 | 299 | #820 |
| 2022 | 332 | #760 |
| 2021 | 288 | #827 |
| 2020 | 250 | #900 |
| 2019 | 244 | #897 |
| 2018 | 207 | #998 |
| 2017 | 198 | #1,020 |
| 2016 | 187 | #1,056 |
| 2015 | 134 | #1,320 |
| 2014 | 131 | #1,329 |
| 2013 | 86 | #1,710 |
| 2012 | 79 | #1,849 |
| 2011 | 85 | #1,731 |
| 2010 | 54 | #2,357 |
| 2009 | 55 | #2,350 |
| 2008 | 48 | #2,590 |
| 2007 | 24 | #4,135 |
| 2006 | 8 | #8,816 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7,173 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 7 | #8,755 |
| 2002 | 6 | #9,519 |
| 2001 | 8 | #7,601 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9,204 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 6 | #4,849 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Bear
- Bear Grylls Presenter · b. 1974
- Bear McCreary Musician · b. 1979
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bear in 2025?
Bear ranked #853 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 286 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bear?
3,356 babies have been named Bear in the United States since 1975, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bear most popular?
Bear peaked in 2022, when 332 newborns received the name.
Is Bear a boy or girl name?
Bear is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bear rising or falling?
Bear is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Bear?
Well-known people named Bear include Bear Grylls (presenter), Bear McCreary (musician).