Boyd
From Scottish Gaelic, either buidhe (“blond, yellow, fair”), or a habitational surname from the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
Every Boyd since 1880 — 27,745 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Boyd
Boyd is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,959 in 2025 with 78 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 27,745 American babies have been named Boyd. Its peak came in 1922, when 508 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 Boyd stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Boyd 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 | — | — | 78 | #1,959 |
| 2024 | — | — | 65 | #2,212 |
| 2023 | — | — | 67 | #2,151 |
| 2022 | — | — | 107 | #1,628 |
| 2021 | — | — | 106 | #1,606 |
| 2020 | — | — | 109 | #1,528 |
| 2019 | — | — | 97 | #1,659 |
| 2018 | — | — | 117 | #1,480 |
| 2017 | — | — | 122 | #1,422 |
| 2016 | — | — | 99 | #1,619 |
| 2015 | — | — | 81 | #1,828 |
| 2014 | — | — | 99 | #1,588 |
| 2013 | — | — | 75 | #1,881 |
| 2012 | — | — | 73 | #1,943 |
| 2011 | — | — | 44 | #2,707 |
| 2010 | — | — | 49 | #2,519 |
| 2009 | — | — | 43 | #2,804 |
| 2008 | — | — | 51 | #2,474 |
| 2007 | — | — | 63 | #2,141 |
| 2006 | — | — | 38 | #2,937 |
| 2005 | — | — | 43 | #2,571 |
| 2004 | — | — | 44 | #2,495 |
| 2003 | — | — | 43 | #2,435 |
| 2002 | — | — | 51 | #2,094 |
| 2001 | — | — | 40 | #2,433 |
| 2000 | — | — | 41 | #2,336 |
| 1995 | — | — | 53 | #1,683 |
| 1990 | — | — | 64 | #1,396 |
| 1985 | — | — | 79 | #1,034 |
| 1980 | — | — | 98 | #905 |
| 1975 | — | — | 137 | #707 |
| 1970 | — | — | 273 | #490 |
| 1965 | — | — | 285 | #460 |
| 1960 | — | — | 370 | #410 |
| 1955 | — | — | 369 | #376 |
| 1950 | — | — | 342 | #365 |
| 1945 | — | — | 318 | #335 |
| 1940 | — | — | 374 | #290 |
| 1935 | — | — | 351 | #289 |
| 1930 | — | — | 430 | #272 |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,706 | 493 | #256 |
| 1920 | 7 | #4,010 | 457 | #256 |
| 1915 | — | — | 335 | #264 |
| 1910 | — | — | 86 | #263 |
| 1905 | — | — | 40 | #316 |
| 1900 | — | — | 62 | #260 |
| 1895 | — | — | 31 | #330 |
| 1890 | — | — | 35 | #290 |
| 1885 | — | — | 40 | #263 |
| 1880 | — | — | 16 | #443 |
Famous people named Boyd
- Boyd Holbrook Actor · b. 1981
- Boyd Alexander Explorer · 1873–1910
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Boyd mean?
From Scottish Gaelic, either buidhe (“blond, yellow, fair”), or a habitational surname from the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
How popular is the name Boyd in 2025?
Boyd ranked #1,959 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 78 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Boyd?
27,745 babies have been named Boyd in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Boyd most popular?
Boyd peaked in 1922, when 508 newborns received the name.
Is Boyd a boy or girl name?
Boyd is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Boyd rising or falling?
Boyd has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Boyd?
Well-known people named Boyd include Boyd Holbrook (actor), Boyd Alexander (explorer).