boys' name · peaked 1918

Brown

Every Brown since 1881 — 1,482 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
0.040.080.110.1518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#7,764
among boys
Babies in 2025
10
named Brown
Peak year
1918
55 babies
All-time total
1,482
since 1881

The story of Brown

Brown is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,764 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1881, 1,482 American babies have been named Brown. Its peak came in 1918, when 55 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 Brown stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Brown 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 10 #7,764
2024
2023 9 #8,355
2022 6 #11,080
2021 6 #11,007
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013 6 #10,944
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008 7 #10,009
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995
1990 6 #7,292
1985
1980 8 #4,550
1975 10 #3,465
1970
1965 5 #3,982
1960 14 #2,220
1955 10 #2,590
1950 12 #2,222
1945 10 #2,269
1940 28 #1,277
1935 14 #1,940
1930 26 #1,433
1925 32 #1,283
1920 36 #1,209
1915 38 #1,039
1910 13 #873
1905 10 #797
1900 9 #911
1895 7 #886
1890 5 #1,022
1885 12 #553
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Brown in 2025?

Brown ranked #7,764 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Brown?

1,482 babies have been named Brown in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Brown most popular?

Brown peaked in 1918, when 55 newborns received the name.

Is Brown a boy or girl name?

Brown is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Brown rising or falling?

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

Names like Brown

Compare Brown with similar names →