Booker
Every Booker since 1882 — 12,235 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Booker
Booker is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,160 in 2025 with 180 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 12,235 American babies have been named Booker. Its peak came in 1916, when 294 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Booker stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Booker 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 | — | — | 180 | #1,160 |
| 2024 | — | — | 152 | #1,290 |
| 2023 | — | — | 179 | #1,161 |
| 2022 | — | — | 171 | #1,186 |
| 2021 | — | — | 160 | #1,207 |
| 2020 | — | — | 96 | #1,659 |
| 2019 | — | — | 92 | #1,714 |
| 2018 | — | — | 82 | #1,838 |
| 2017 | — | — | 84 | #1,804 |
| 2016 | — | — | 59 | #2,257 |
| 2015 | — | — | 54 | #2,387 |
| 2014 | — | — | 47 | #2,585 |
| 2013 | — | — | 43 | #2,719 |
| 2012 | — | — | 39 | #2,961 |
| 2011 | — | — | 22 | #4,381 |
| 2010 | — | — | 30 | #3,542 |
| 2009 | — | — | 24 | #4,176 |
| 2008 | — | — | 21 | #4,559 |
| 2007 | — | — | 21 | #4,517 |
| 2006 | — | — | 23 | #4,115 |
| 2005 | — | — | 19 | #4,492 |
| 2004 | — | — | 14 | #5,528 |
| 2003 | — | — | 18 | #4,441 |
| 2002 | — | — | 13 | #5,432 |
| 2001 | — | — | 17 | #4,504 |
| 2000 | — | — | 18 | #4,226 |
| 1995 | — | — | 18 | #3,568 |
| 1990 | — | — | 32 | #2,219 |
| 1985 | — | — | 32 | #1,837 |
| 1980 | — | — | 44 | #1,434 |
| 1975 | — | — | 39 | #1,412 |
| 1970 | — | — | 63 | #1,024 |
| 1965 | — | — | 65 | #921 |
| 1960 | — | — | 65 | #941 |
| 1955 | — | — | 125 | #656 |
| 1950 | — | — | 145 | #561 |
| 1945 | — | — | 135 | #517 |
| 1940 | — | — | 156 | #462 |
| 1935 | — | — | 130 | #502 |
| 1930 | — | — | 201 | #415 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,071 | 165 | #468 |
| 1920 | — | — | 196 | #427 |
| 1915 | — | — | 272 | #312 |
| 1910 | — | — | 159 | #177 |
| 1905 | — | — | 93 | #191 |
| 1900 | — | — | 46 | #307 |
| 1895 | — | — | 5 | #1,098 |
| 1890 | — | — | 5 | #1,021 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Booker
- Booker T. Washington Writer · 1856–1915
- Booker T Wrestler · b. 1965
- Booker Ervin Musician · 1930–1970
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Booker in 2025?
Booker ranked #1,160 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 180 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Booker?
12,235 babies have been named Booker in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Booker most popular?
Booker peaked in 1916, when 294 newborns received the name.
Is Booker a boy or girl name?
Booker is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Booker rising or falling?
Booker is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Booker?
Well-known people named Booker include Booker T. Washington (writer), Booker T (wrestler), Booker Ervin (musician).