Butler
Every Butler since 1880 — 987 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Butler
Butler is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 987 American babies have been named Butler. Its peak came in 1919, when 31 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 Butler stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Butler year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 5 | #8,279 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 10 | #3,883 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 8 | #3,125 |
| 1955 | 9 | #2,794 |
| 1950 | 5 | #3,758 |
| 1945 | 15 | #1,784 |
| 1940 | 13 | #1,994 |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,267 |
| 1930 | 12 | #2,317 |
| 1925 | 9 | #2,958 |
| 1920 | 24 | #1,547 |
| 1915 | 25 | #1,346 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,214 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 12 | #750 |
| 1895 | 9 | #745 |
| 1890 | 11 | #608 |
| 1885 | 12 | #554 |
| 1880 | 8 | #689 |
Famous people named Butler
- Butler Lampson Engineer · b. 1943
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Butler in 2025?
Butler did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Butler?
987 babies have been named Butler in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Butler most popular?
Butler peaked in 1919, when 31 newborns received the name.
Is Butler a boy or girl name?
Butler is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Butler rising or falling?
Butler has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Butler?
Well-known people named Butler include Butler Lampson (engineer).