Bertram
From Proto-Germanic *berhtaz (“bright”) + *hrabnaz (“raven”).
Every Bertram since 1880 — 7,955 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bertram
Bertram is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,353 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 7,955 American babies have been named Bertram. Its peak came in 1923, when 228 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 Bertram stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bertram year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #8,353 |
| 2024 | 10 | #7,846 |
| 2023 | 5 | #12,488 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8,407 |
| 2021 | 6 | #10,969 |
| 2020 | 9 | #8,164 |
| 2019 | 12 | #6,828 |
| 2018 | 5 | #12,410 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | #10,919 |
| 2015 | 13 | #6,377 |
| 2014 | 7 | #9,764 |
| 2013 | 7 | #9,766 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7,120 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 9 | #8,224 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 7 | #9,981 |
| 2007 | 10 | #7,658 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7,490 |
| 2005 | 11 | #6,700 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9,047 |
| 2003 | 9 | #7,304 |
| 2002 | 7 | #8,555 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 7 | #8,296 |
| 1995 | 14 | #4,305 |
| 1990 | 15 | #3,797 |
| 1985 | 17 | #2,845 |
| 1980 | 18 | #2,626 |
| 1975 | 37 | #1,455 |
| 1970 | 67 | #990 |
| 1965 | 62 | #934 |
| 1960 | 58 | #1,009 |
| 1955 | 83 | #802 |
| 1950 | 73 | #797 |
| 1945 | 66 | #753 |
| 1940 | 83 | #667 |
| 1935 | 96 | #590 |
| 1930 | 158 | #470 |
| 1925 | 194 | #427 |
| 1920 | 200 | #422 |
| 1915 | 159 | #429 |
| 1910 | 33 | #481 |
| 1905 | 27 | #412 |
| 1900 | 20 | #534 |
| 1895 | 30 | #337 |
| 1890 | 18 | #425 |
| 1885 | 19 | #413 |
| 1880 | 18 | #405 |
Famous people named Bertram
- Bertram Brockhouse Physicist · 1918–2003
- Bertram Ramsay Military personnel · 1883–1945
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bertram mean?
From Proto-Germanic *berhtaz (“bright”) + *hrabnaz (“raven”).
How popular is the name Bertram in 2025?
Bertram ranked #8,353 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bertram?
7,955 babies have been named Bertram in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bertram most popular?
Bertram peaked in 1923, when 228 newborns received the name.
Is Bertram a boy or girl name?
Bertram is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bertram rising or falling?
Bertram has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Bertram?
Well-known people named Bertram include Bertram Brockhouse (physicist), Bertram Ramsay (military personnel).